Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which event marked a significant escalation in the U.S. involvement in World War II?

1. Battle of Midway

2. Attack on Pearl Harbor

3. D-Day Invasion

4. Fall of France

The correct answer is: Attack on Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor is recognized as a pivotal moment that drastically escalated U.S. involvement in World War II. Occurring on December 7, 1941, this surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii led to significant and immediate repercussions. The attack resulted in substantial loss of life and damage to the Pacific Fleet, and it galvanized public opinion in favor of entering the war. Following the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous “Day of Infamy” speech, which prompted Congress to declare war on Japan the very next day. This declaration marked the United States' entry into World War II as an active combatant, transitioning from a position of neutrality to engaging fully in the conflict on multiple fronts. The attack on Pearl Harbor united the American public and served as a rallying point for support of the military efforts. In contrast, key events such as the Battle of Midway, D-Day Invasion, and the Fall of France occurred later in the war and either reflected the U.S. military involvement already in progress or the result of actions that followed the United States' entry into the conflict.