In the years leading up to World War II, the relationship between Japan and the United States became very tense. Japan was expanding its territory in Asia, trying to build an empire, while the U.S. wanted to stop its aggressive actions. This created a lot of conflict because the U.S. was concerned about Japan taking over more countries and possibly threatening American interests in the Pacific.
At the start of World War II, the United States was more focused on staying neutral. Many Americans didn't want to get involved in another war after the devastation of World War I. The U.S. government tried to remain isolated, meaning they wanted to avoid taking sides in global conflicts. However, as Japan continued its military actions, particularly in China and other parts of Asia, the U.S. started to impose economic sanctions, like cutting off oil supplies, to pressure Japan to stop its expansion.
Things escalated dramatically after Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This attack destroyed a significant portion of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and killed thousands of Americans. The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, marking the United States' entry into World War II. This attack completely changed the U.S. position from isolationism to active participation in the war, as they not only had to defend themselves but also support their allies against the Axis Powers.
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