Question

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.""

Which phrase from the text describes how Roosevelt saw the relationship between the United States and Japan prior to the attacks?
A. Suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces
B. Looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific
C. Useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations
D. A surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area

Answer 1

The phrase that describes the United States' relationship with Japan before the Pearl Harbor attack is "looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific" as the U.S. was still engaged in peace negotiations with Japan.

Therefore, the correct answer is: option B). Looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific

Step-by-step explanation:

In his speech, Roosevelt mentioned that the United States was at peace with Japan and had been engaging in diplomatic negotiations to maintain peace in the Pacific.

Therefore, the phrase from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech that describes how he saw the relationship between the United States and Japan prior to the attacks is "looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific".

This phrase indicates that before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States was engaged in diplomatic conversations with Japan with the goal of preserving peace.

Despite these efforts, Japan launched what Roosevelt described in his "Day of Infamy" speech as an unprovoked and dastardly attack, leading to a declaration of war by the United States against the Japanese Empire.