Comparing the Domestic Political Responses to the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: Exploring the events following these attacks on American soil by using Richard Hofstadter’s Paranoid Political Style

Abstract

This thesis explores the domestic political responses and reactions to the two most major attacks on American soil, drawing parallels to issues such as racial and ethnic discrimination in legislation and public reaction.

In light of the recent 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Asian Exclusion Act, along with other recent events, the re-surge of xenophobic attitudes in the wake of the COVID-19 measures, as well as heightened debates related to immigration and national security, this thesis aims to examine the parallels between national crisis and contemporary challenges. Furthermore, this examination also extends to the attitudes toward Muslims and Arabs, or those perceived to be, particularly in the time after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

By employing Richard Hofstadter’s theory on the Paranoid Political Style, this thesis aims to explain the reasons behind domestic political responses and actions taken following two of the most major attacks on American soil.