As a historian with a focus on World War II, I can provide a detailed account of the event that led to the United States' entry into the conflict. The United States, initially, pursued a policy of neutrality, but a series of events ultimately forced the nation to reconsider its stance.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The pivotal event that forced the United States into the Second World War was the surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States' naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, on the morning of December 7, 1941. The attack was a significant turning point as it led the U.S. to formally enter World War II as a combatant, declaring war on Japan the following day.

Background and Context
Prior to the attack, the U.S. had been providing support to the Allies through various means, including the Lend-Lease program, which allowed the U.S. to supply military aid to countries fighting against the Axis powers without formally entering the war. However, tensions had been escalating with Japan, particularly due to Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia, including the invasion of China and the occupation of French Indochina.

The Decision to Attack
Japan's decision to attack Pearl Harbor was driven by several factors. The country aimed to neutralize the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which was perceived as a significant threat to Japan's plans for further expansion in Asia and the Pacific. By crippling the U.S. fleet, Japan hoped to buy time to solidify its territorial gains without interference.

The Attack and Its Aftermath
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a well-coordinated, two-wave assault that caught the U.S. forces off guard. It resulted in significant losses, with eight American battleships sunk or damaged, along with three cruisers, four destroyers, and nearly 200 aircraft destroyed. More than 2,400 Americans were killed, and over 1,100 were wounded. The attack was a severe blow to the U.S. military and a shock to the American public.

U.S. Response and Declaration of War
The attack on Pearl Harbor unified the American public in a way that no other event could have. The very next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress, famously describing the day as "a date which will live in infamy." Congress responded by issuing a declaration of war against Japan, with only one member of Congress voting against it.

Entry into Global Conflict
Following the declaration of war on Japan, the United States was quickly drawn into the broader conflict of World War II. Within days, Germany and Italy, honoring their treaties with Japan, declared war on the United States, which reciprocated with declarations of war against both countries. This marked the United States' full entry into the global conflict.

Long-term Impact
The entry of the United States into World War II had profound implications for the outcome of the war and the post-war world. The U.S. brought significant industrial and military resources to the Allied cause, which played a crucial role in the defeat of the Axis powers. The war also marked the beginning of the U.S.'s emergence as a superpower and set the stage for the Cold War era.

In conclusion, the attack on Pearl Harbor was the catalyst that forced the United States into the Second World War. It was a defining moment in American history, one that led to profound changes in the nation's role on the global stage.

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Although the war began with Nazi Germany's attack on Poland in September 1939, the United States did not enter the war until after the Japanese bombed the American fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.read more >>