Japan and the Path to War
The attack on Pearl Harbor came as a surprise, however tensions had been building between Japan and the United States for nearly a century.
- The United States was especially annoyed with the more hostile behavior Japan expressed towards China.
- Mostly, the Japanese government could only solve its economic and demographic disorder through expansion into their neighbor’s territory and acquisition of the neighbor’s import market.
- This move was made by Japan in response and as such, it attacked China and a series of attacks that included Nanking Massacre were unleashed on China.
- Threatened by this belligerence, American officials used a series of economic embargoes and trade sanctions to counterattack.
- Japan had no oil and no money and no goods, even if there were provisions of essential supply like oil that the empire had to limit the expansionism.
- However, the sanctions stiffened their resolve to fight. Long months of negotiation between Tokyo and Washington, D.C. achieved nothing. Neither party would concede. He appeared to have been destined for war.
Pearl Harbor Attack | History, Motive, Cause & Impact
Pearl Harbor: On the morning of 7 December 1941, Japan bombed the US Pearl Harbor in Hawaii naval base. The attack however was a big surprise and after launching a strategic attack by some 350 Japanese aircraft, the surprise attack sunk or badly damaged eighteen US naval vessels which included eight battleships, destroyed or damaged 300 us aircraft, and killed 2,403 men. America was surprised, shocked and vexed from one end to the other. The Second World War – turning US public opinion towards warfare. Japan before December 8, 1941, was not at war. Two of Japan’s allies, Germany and Italy, started a war with the US on December 11. The U. S. reacted likewise and consequently went to World War II.
Table of Content
- Pearl Harbor Attack
- Motive for the Pearl Harbor Attack
- Forewarnings about the Pearl Harbor Attack
- Japan and the Path to War
- Pearl Harbor: Location
- Impact of the Pearl Harbor Attack
- Conclusion