Question

question 14 of 20
what was the impact of the japanese attack on pearl harbor during world war ii?

a. it prompted the united states to pass the lend - lease act.
b. it forced the united states to officially declare war against the axis powers.
c. it motivated the potsdam conference, a first attempt at forming a peace treaty.
d. it convinced england to come to the aid of u.s. forces in the pacific.

Explanation:

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Prior to this attack, the United States had been providing some support to the Allies (such as through the Lend - Lease Act which was passed in 1941 before Pearl Harbor), but was not officially at war. After the attack, on December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan. Germany and Italy, as part of the Axis powers, then declared war on the United States.

• Option A: The Lend - Lease Act was passed in March 1941, well before the Pearl Harbor attack (December 7, 1941). So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: The attack on Pearl Harbor led to the United States' official entry into World War II by declaring war on the Axis powers (Japan, Germany, Italy). This option is correct.
• Option C: The Potsdam Conference was held in July - August 1945, near the end of World War II. It was not related to the Pearl Harbor attack. This option is incorrect.
• Option D: England (the United Kingdom) was already at war with the Axis powers (Germany, Italy) before the United States entered the war. And the focus of the Pearl Harbor attack was on the United States' entry into the war, not on the UK coming to the aid of U.S. forces in the Pacific in the way described. This option is incorrect.

Answer:

B. It forced the United States to officially declare war against the Axis powers.