Similar to Great Britain, Japan was in desperate need of resources that they lacked because of their geography. Trade was and still is a huge part of Japan's economy. "Trade was necessary to the functioning of the Japanese economy. When Japan entered the first stage of its modernization in the nineteenth century, it had become dependent on other parts of the world for markets and raw materials... Iron for the steel industry was of particular concern as Japan was almost wholly dependent upon imports... The nearest major sources of iron were in Manchuria and northern China." (William Beasley, Doc. 8) Japan became an imperialist nation because of its lack of natural resources and because China was so close and prosperous they first traded with China and eventually invaded China in hopes to take control of it. In Doc. 9, the map shows the Japanese expansion from 1930 to 1939. During those nine years Japan invaded all of Korea, and a good part of China including one of China's big cities, Manchuria. "The protection of the nation's line of sovereignty and the defense of our line of advantage are essential if we wish to maintain our independence and security.... [W]e must reach as far as possible within the limits of our resources to achieve control of that position. As a result, it is essential that we begin to make significantly larger appropriations for our navy and our armed…
Japan knew that if they accepted these terms and surrendered, all their progress on becoming an imperial power would be lost. Japan refused to accept these term from the US and continued their activity in China. To protest this the United States placed an embargo on oil and steel from the US. America did not want Japan to have any more activity in the United States. The United States was Japan's main source of oil and the embargo threatened to cut off Japan's supply line and threatened economic problems.…
'Why Did Japan Attack Pearl Harbor?' In December 1941, Pearl Harbor was assaulted by the Japanese. It was the outcome of a progression of occasions which conveyed strain amongst Japan and America to breaking point. Japan was a nation developing in force and stature and America soon came to understand that this development could demonstrate a risk to them. America meant to stop Japan's development in its tracks as they understood that if the circumstance was left to advance any longer then the circumstance might be out of their control.…
The United States imposed sanctions on Japan on the 26th of July 1941. The aim of this embargo was to bring Japan to its senses but instead it brought it to its knees. Due to the sanctions Japanese assets were frozen and its supply of steel and oil drastically went low. According to Miller, Japan was left with three options: first suffer economic impoverishment, second accede to America’s demands to yield it territorial conquests or third go to war with the United States and its allies . Japan chose the third option and its intention to do so was made clear to America and the world on the 7th of December 1941 when it attacked Pearl…
They had two options, fight or take control. Japan also thought Pearl Harbor would be a good location so they could refuel. In 1941 Japan focused on taking south Pacific colonies by eliminating US interest in the region. This leads to an economic embargo by the US against the…
One reason was because the embargo the U.S. put in place against Japan. This embargo blocked Japan from receiving steel and aviation fuel as well as other military supplies. Japan also feared the U.S. would stop them from conquering Burma, Malaya, the East Indies and the Philippines. So, as a precaution, the Japanese launched a surprise…
December 7, 1941, was one of the most dramatic and most memorable days in the history of the United States of America. It was the day when 2,403 innocent men lost their lives that morning by Japan's surprise attack. This surprise attack later involved the United States in World War 2, even though they tried so hard not to involve themselves in all the trouble. Now the real question is, why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? There are a couple reasons why Japan wanted to attack Pearl Harbor.…
Japan joined forces with Germany and Italy and became allies. Japan was afraid the U.S. would try to stop them from taking Southeast Asia, so they decided to attack Pearl Harbor, which was a large station for the military. They believed that a surprise attack would destroy the U.S. Navy and make it easier to invade Southeast Asia. The bombing began on Sunday December 7th, 1941 at 7:55 a.m.…
The last reason why Japan bombed Pearl Harbor was because the U.S fleet expansion threatened Japan by its overwhelming numbers and strength it was gaining. The U.S Congress passed an act called the Naval Expansion Act and it promises to triple the fleet. (Doc C) A Japanese Prime Minister and War Minister named Hideki Tojo said that Japan knew that the U.S Navy would definitely grow stronger. (Doc E) So since Japan felt threatened by America’s growing Naval Fleet, they felt that it would be best to weakened it by bombing at the source, Pearl…
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? Many hypotheses and theories exist for why that fateful day occurred in history. Was Japan trying to take over the world and the United States stood in their way? Did we deserve this? I believe Japan attacked Pearl Harbor for a combination of reasons. War is never simple and I have to believe that it is never just the fault of one. I believe that the combination of a breakdown of relations with the US, Japan’s imperialistic actions, and the US’s restriction on trade with Japan lit the fuse that resulted in the bombing of Pearl Harbor.…
The attack on Pearl Harbor taught Americans that, we were not invincible from foreign attacks. The event occurred on December 7th, 1941. Japan wanted to come up with a plan that would truly cripple the elite fighting force stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Battleships had become very popular and a major fighting force in fleets.…
During World War II Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and ruined many of our fleets and military. The decision on what to do to deal with Japan was a tough one. America made the right decision on dropping the atomic bomb on Japan.…
On December 7, 1941 came a great shock when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. At first, the United States and Japan were negotiating with each other to avoid going to war with each other. The United States took all possible measures to avoid entering into World War II. However, when planes from six Japanese aircraft carriers launched an attack on the American naval base and airfields located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii that all ended. This tragic event propelled the United States into World War II, fighting against both Germany on one front and Japan on another. Yet the question still remained, why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor. At the time Japan had only half the population of the United States and its land size was smaller than Sweden, but still they…
On December 7, 1941 Japan’s plans succeeded with an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Outraged President Franklin Roosevelt declared war with Japan the next day. With the United States fleet out of the way for the time being, Japan seized the opportunity and tried to take oil resources from Southeast Asia. The attack on Pearl Harbor turned America into a war production economy. Military needs were in demand and quickly took priority over consumer goods. After Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 in 1942, which allowed the military to relocate the Japanese to temporary centers in a precaution to protect American…
(Spector 76) Admiral Nagano Osami gave this statement after finding no other way to resolve relations between the United States and Japan. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the only way Japan sought to break away from the United States oppression of the Japanese people. Poor relations between Japan and America were both economical and political; this caused the attack on Pearl Harbor.…