Why Was Pearl Harbor So Unprepared?
During the attack on Pearl Harbor, America was severely unprepared for the attack and was caught off guard by the Japanese. The United States was receiving intelligence that Japan might enforce a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, but America did not believe Japan was capable. Since there America was so unprepared “there was a complete lack of cooperation between the Army and Navy and no one in authority believed in the dangers to which Pearl Harbor was exposed, and they saw no need for Hawaii to be ready for a large-scale attack” (“Why was the US Unprepared?”). Weeks before the attack, Washington intercepted two warnings that an attack would come, but was ignored. The morning of the attack “Washington received another message from Japan threatening
war, but the last minute warning did not get to Pearl Harbor until the bombardment was complete” (Pearl Harbor in Retrospect”). America helped the Japanese achieve their surprise attack with the lack of communication. Also, America arrogance of believing that there would be no attack from Japan and believing Japan was not capable, is the reason the Japanese were so successful. During the attack, America showed zero resistance, but the next day america declared war Japan.
war, but the last minute warning did not get to Pearl Harbor until the bombardment was complete” (Pearl Harbor in Retrospect”). America helped the Japanese achieve their surprise attack with the lack of communication. Also, America arrogance of believing that there would be no attack from Japan and believing Japan was not capable, is the reason the Japanese were so successful. During the attack, America showed zero resistance, but the next day america declared war Japan.