Most of the people in the United States wanted the country to follow isolationism, or a type of government that does not get involved in foreign affairs, or things that are happening in other countries.
大多数的美国人想要该国奉行孤立主义,也就是不插手外交事务类型的政府,或是发生在其他国家的事情。
However, on December 7, 1941, Americans changed their mind, or changed what they thought about isolationism.
然而,1941年12月7日,美国人改变想法了,或者说是改变了他们对孤立主义的看法。
The United States had a naval base, or a place where the country's military ships are kept, in a place called Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
美国当时在夏威夷珍珠港那有个海军基地,或者说是该国停放军舰的地方。
On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked (or fought against) Pearl Harbor.
1941年12月7日,日本战机袭击了(或攻击了)珍珠港。
The Japanese bombed (or dropped weapons that explode) on Pearl Harbor, destroying many U.S. ships and planes and killing almost 2,400 Americans.
日本轰炸了(或投下炸药)珍珠港,炸毁了许多美国军舰和战机并杀死了将近2400名美国人。
The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor as a preventative measure, or something that might keep something else from happening.
日本视轰炸珍珠港为预防措施,或者说是防止别的事情发生的某种措施。
Although the United States wasn't fighting in the war yet, the Japanese knew that the United States might become involved.
尽管美国还没有参战,但是日本知道美国可能会卷入其中。
The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor to try to make it impossible for the United States to enter the war.
日本轰炸珍珠港的目的是让美国无法参战。
In fact, however, when they bombed Pearl Harbor, it was the final push, or the last thing that needed to happen, for the United States to decide to enter the war.
然而,事实上,当他们轰炸珍珠港的时候,却是最后的一推,或者是最不应该发生的事情,因为美国作出了参战的决定。