1941: A Year Of Hardships And Breakthroughs

World War II was possibly the most significant period of the 20th century. “It brought about major developments in technology and laid the groundwork that permitted post-war social changes including the end of European colonialism, the civil rights movement in the United States, and the modern women’s rights movement, as well as the programs for exploring outer space” (History.net). On September 1st 1939, Hitler began World War II by invading Poland and on September 3rd, Britain and France declared war on Germany. America wasn’t in the involved in the war until December 7th, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Prior to the war, Japanese military action in China caused concern among the United States and their allies. In an attempt to curb this action, the allies sought to limit the passage of steel and petroleum to Japan. The reception of this action as an act of war by the Japanese led to their attempted expansion into the Pacific. The intent of this action was to supersede US power in the Pacific and secure these resources. In an attempt to pre-emptively defeat the United States, the Japanese decided to seize the initiative. This occurred through a surprise attack against the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. While on the surface the attack was successful, damaging or destroying 8 battleships and nearly 350

In an effort to attain control of the Pacific Ocean, Japan launched an unprecedented attack against the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Despite the isolationist attitude of America prior to joining World War II, an embargo against Japan in part prompted the terrible offence. Hideki Tōjō, a radical conservative, had recently been elected Prime Minister of Japan, under his leadership; a plan to expand the Empire of Japan was developed. The attack planned by the Japanese Admiral Isoruko Yamamoto who had been educated in America, and had served two tours of duty in the United States was strategically quite brilliant (Japan). Many factors afforded the opportunity for Japan’s success in the assault. The ignorant

The United States was completely unaware of the long-planned attack on them, and according to an article called Remember Pearl Harbor, because the fleet was so bottled up in the port it made it an easy target for a successful attack. The Japanese’s plan completely revolved on a surprise attack, if any ships or planes were spotted the plan would have not gone so smoothly. The Japanese planed for around 8 months what they would do and how they would do it. They had some problems, because of the shallow waters around Pearl Harbor the Japanese thought that torpedoes would not be successful so they created 16-inch battleship bombs and wooden fins on their torpedo’s to help with a more “successful” attack. Admiral Halsey thought that congress was to blame for not providing the right funding for adequate protection, like alarm systems or warring systems. Washington did not think that Pearl Harbor would be attacked, and they did not expect the Japanese because they did not really have a good or outstanding military background. So because of the complete surprise of the attack, and so much of the fleet being there that day, the Japanese were able to be so

A little before noon on December 7,1941, hundreds of Japanese troops came together on their planes and attacked the American Naval base. The Japanese soldiers left the Naval base in such a mess. They managed to destroy almost 20 naval vessels, eight battleships, 300 airplanes. That’s not even the worst part. They killed more than 2,000 American soldiers and wounded 1000 of them. Shortly after the attack former President Roosevelt declared war on Japan. The mysterious and shocking attack on America was a very unexpected twist. No one was expecting Japan to sneak attack the United States like that, but ever since then nothing will be the same. Even though the United states wasn’t expecting the incident they should have been

December 7, 1941, Japan performed a surprise attack on America at Pearl Harbor. "According to Japanese feudal code of honor, the idea of a surprise is recommended and it raises no moral problems" (Sulzberger 146). During Japan's attack, they broke the seal of trust. "Japan's Ambassador and Diplomatic agent were in Washington pretending to have been seeking a negotiated settlement between the two countries" (Sulzberger 146). America lost over 3,000 service men from this bombing. This type of betrayal could only cause anger and determination to strike back.

"The attack on Pearl Harbor, which was influenced by a successful British attack that used carrier aircraft against an Italian fleet at Taranto, Italy, the previous year, was essentially a last best-hope for Japanese success in the Pacific"(Pearl Harbor history net). Yamamatoto was the brains behind this operation. He studied in the United States so he knew Japan didn't have the power to defeat the United States with normal battles. Yamamatoto wanted a third wave of attack but the Japanese feared an attack at home. The fuel reserves enabled the remainder of the fleet to continue to operate, and failure to destroy the submarine base allowed submarines to play a major role in the Pacific War (Pearl Harbor history net). The Japanese failure to destroy the submarine base resulted in the remainder of the fleet to continue operating. “Two of the aircraft carriers that are usually posted at Pearl Harbor were out delivering planes to Midway”(John). This left two of America's assets undamaged. As President Roosevelt said “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again”(Pearl Harbor History.com). THe words of PResident Roosevelt really moved the people leading them to do something about the

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, at 7:55 AM the Japanese Empire led a surprise attack on the US Naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, that would leave millions of Americans in shock, and heartbroken. Before the attack, the United States kept a low profile on International affairs, and concentrated on the domestic affairs at hand. This tragic moment in American history forever remembered. It is a mournful day for the American people, although, for the Japanese Empire it was an honorable day, one they would call a victory. People believed that the Japanese Empire attack on Pear Harbor was deceitful, treacherous and for no reason at all. Yet, there is a reason behind their attack, it was a

America had one question that seemed to shine above the others, “Why?” America wanted to know what caused this attack, and why the Japanese leaders would do such a thing. The answer soon became clear. Japan had plans to expand into China’s market, and America interfered with their plans. The idea behind Pearl Harbor was to cripple the American naval fleet, so that America could no longer interfere with Japan's expansionism. Despite the two hour barrage, however, Japan failed to destroy the fleet. Eighteen ships and three-hundred airplanes were destroyed, and there were about 3500 casualties.

The attack on pearl harbor was a surprise, but japan and the united states have been waiting for the war to happen for years. The united states was unhappy with japanese because of their least unexpected attack, so the japanese government thought that the only way to solve their problems was to expand into its neighbors territory and

There are several reasons why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, however, the goal and the reason of the attack are announced to be mismatched. Previously, before striking Hawaii, Japan already had been attacking few countries in Asia and even colonizing those countries. It was a great success for Japan. As they succeeded in colonizing, they needed an increased need for steel, oil, minerals, etc, which lead them to seek for natural resources. Japan was desperate for natural resources due to their goals, which was expanding their lands in Asia and the Pacific. However, the most important reason that cause Japanese to attack Hawaii was the ban that was settled with President Roosevelt on the trade of oil, steel, and iron. This ban of resources gave negative effects to the Japanese economy and unfortunately, it gave a set back to the military as well. The Japanese were on their process of being the strongest navy and having the power. But the Americans blocked their passage, which made the Japanese want to fight over their obstacle- the Americans. Japan had already taken over most lands in Asia, and they were eager to take over the entire Asia but the Americans didn’t allow them

Just before 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack at the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. Japan sent hundreds of fighter planes and bombers toward the naval base with no warning toward the United States, but the two countries were near war for decades. Japan believed that the best way to solve its economic and demographic problems was to expand its empire. No one believed that the Japanese would start the war on American territory. For Japan, starting an attack on American territory would be very inconvenient. The two pieces of land are about 4,000 miles apart and the travel to get to the United States would take a lot of fuel, and a lot of time. The barrage of bullets, bombs, torpedoes, and Kamikaze or suicide planes last almost 2 hours. Just before the start of the attack, Americans at the

Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States was divided on whether to join the right in the war or not. After the attack the American people became united on the decision to go to war. Japan thought the attack would force the United States to lift the economic sanctions that were against them because of China. But, it did the opposite. Admiral Isroken Yamamoto, who masterminded the attack, was quoted as saying “I fear all we have done is to awaken a Sleeping Giant and fill him with a terrible resolve”.

     The US was stunned and enraged by the attack. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it “a day of infamy.” The next day, December 8, 1941, the US declared war on Japan. The Japanese had planned out this attack well before it occurred. Working hard and discussing how to do it. There had already been in tension between the US and Japan before this whole thing occurred. They just weren’t sure how or with what to strike because the waters of Pearl Harbor are real deep. They wanted the attack to be the most effective on possible. So they put fins on

Shortly before 8am on Sunday 7 December 1941 , the first of two waves of Japanese aircraft launched a devastating attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet, moored in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The raid, which came with no warning and no declaration of war, destroyed four battleships, leaving an additional 4 damaged in merely two hours. The attack destroyed 188 US aircraft, killed more than 2,400 Americans, and injured another 1,200 . Although remembered as “the day that will live in infamy”, the exact reason behind the attack on Pearl Harbor still remains unknown. Some believe that the Japanese were galvanized by Germany to attack the United States because of the assumption that the United States would be unable to concentrate all of its resources toward the fight with Japan. Germany desired assistance in the fight during World War II and, because of that, nearly guaranteed the United States’ defeat if Japan attacked. On the other side, it is believed that the Japanese prompted the Pacific war with the attack on Pearl Harbor in order to eliminate their primary competitor for resources in the Pacific and fulfill its destiny of creating a “greater East Asian co-prosperity sphere” .