How was the american public reaction different from the american military reaction? after pearl harbor

From the outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939 to December 8, 1941, the United States was officially neutral, as it was bounded by the Neutrality Acts not to get involved in the conflicts embroiling in Europe and Asia. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, public opinion in the United States had not been unanimous. When polled in January 1940, 60% of Americans were in favor of helping the United Kingdom in the war. A majority of Americans believed that the safety of the United States was contingent on the UK winning the war, and an even larger majority believed that the UK would lose the war if the United States stopped sending war materials to the United Kingdom.[1] Despite this, the same poll reported that 88% of Americans would not support entering the war against Germany and Italy. Americans were more unsure on the prospect of conflict with Japan around the same time frame. In a February Gallup poll, a majority of Americans believed that the United States should intervene in Japan's conquest of the Dutch East Indies and Singapore. However, in the same poll, only 39% supported going to war with Japan, while 46% opposed the prospect. Public support for assisting the United Kingdom rose through 1940, Reaching about 65% by May 1941. However, opinions on the prospect of becoming involved against Germany and Italy still remained quite high with 80% disapproval.

hope it helped!