Argumentative Essay On Japan Before Pearl Harbor

The day of December 7, 1941, makes most Americans cringe. As said by Franklin D. Roosevelt or FDR, “a date which will live in infamy.” On this day, Japanese fighter planes bombed the Pearl Harbor Navy base and demolished 20 navy vessels, 8 battleships, and 300 planes. 2,000 American soldiers and sailors were killed along with 1,000 that were wounded. Every American was appalled after the disaster. The bombing was devastating, however, it led to a change in America. The next day, December 8, 1941, FDR spoke about the incident and declared war on Japan, officially becoming a part of World War 2. During his speech, he said,

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

Not only did the United States freeze all Japanese assets under U.S. control but it also halted all sales of oil to Japan as well. The United States tried to come to a resolve with Japan over their differences. Because of neither nation’s willingness to compromise, war was now inevitable (Borg). Why didn’t the U.S. suspect Pearl Harbor of being the place of attack? Since the United States halted all exports to Japan, Japan declared war on the United States. Due to the lack of information, lack of technology, and talks of peace by Japan, the United States had no idea where Japan was going to hit.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his war speech and asserted December 7, 1941 as, “a date which will live in infamy.” The United States’ naval bases stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii were struck by Japanese planes intentionally and promptly. The news of this attack on the Pearl Harbor shocked the world. It was devastating to the nation that were still in the throes of depression. Witnesses of this event painted a portrait of a nation stunned, but determined to rise again. The United States’ government had not disclosed a Pearl Harbor story to the public--that the U.S. had failed to act on advance information about a planned Japanese attack. Japan 's move against the United States was audacious enough to be considered no more than a slight possibility, although the potential for an attack had been widely discussed.

Two things were unusual about this American fighter pilot. First, he had passed up a sure kill. Second, he was Black. He flew with the only U.S. Fighter squad involved in World War Two that could claim to have never lost a bomber they were escorting. The Group was the 332nd Fighter Group, "The Redtails," the famed all African American outfit that fought both American racism and Nazi militarism. Under the leadership and discipline of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, the Redtails had learned that their mission in life was to protect the bombers(Respect and Honor 1).

“A date which will live in infamy” is a phrase most associated with this day. An unprovoked attack aimed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 left the nation vulnerable to various outside powers. Franklin Delano Roosevelt knew the vital importance of creating and leading a crusade, so his purpose in addressing the nation was to declare war against Japan and rally the support of the citizens of America. Until the devastating bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japan had been considered an ally. Roosevelt’s speech was about bringing justice to the nation and being honest with the people about the terrible events that had just occurred. Roosevelt, serving as the thirty-second president of the United States, was in his second term when the attack happened.

Not only did the United States freeze all Japanese assets under U.S. control but it halted all sales of oil to Japan as well. The United States tried to resolve the issues with Japan over these differences, but a resolution could not be reached and war was inevitable (Borg). Why didn’t the U.S. suspect Pearl Harbor of being the place of attack? Since the United States halted all exports to Japan, Japan declared war on the United States. Due to the lack of information, lack of technology, and talks of peace by Japan, the United States had no idea where Japan was going to hit.

On November 26, 1941, the Japanese Task Force comprised of six aircraft carriers. A support force, which included two battleships, three cruisers, nine destroyers, three submarines, escorted it and eight oil supply ships, began their trek to Hawaii. They must travel four thousand miles across open sea and remain undetected by the UNITED STATES Forces. (Wisniewski 20) The UNITED STATES Military knew a surprise attack by Japan was possible and they thought they were prepared. Adm. Husband E. Kimmel and Lt. Gen. Walter C. Short, the commanders of the UNITED STATES Naval and Army forces in Hawaii, respectively, had regularly scheduled training exercises and had taken many precautions to avert disaster. (Pearl Harbor’s History, Filmstrip)

Before the United States got involved in the war, it took action against countries, like Japan, who acted in ways that they did not agree with. America's first embargo came after Japan decided to start expanding their power to neighboring countries (Doc C). Later on, the United States put another embargo in place after Japan took French Indochina (Doc D). The United States did not agree with Japan's actions, but did not want to get involved in the war directly. This led them to put the embargos in place. This angered the Japanese, as they relied on America to supply them with certain resources, like steel and petroleum. This diminished their available amount of supplies that they could put towards the war

“Our military thought that they couldn't get to Pearl Harbor, that it was too long a journey from Japan to get there, and they proved us wrong”- Jerry Bruckheimer.(Jerry Bruckheimer Quotes) This quote helps explain that the United States thought that Japan could not get to the United States. The cause of Pearl Harbor is why the attack was so shocking the United States lost and damage many ships.

December 7th, 1941, was the day 2,403 Americans lost their lives and 1,200 wounded during the Japanese air raid, on Pearl Harbor. On this day, the US Navy lost almost the entire Pacific Fleet in the harbor. After the attack, all the ships were either sunk or severally damaged minus the aircraft carriers. The aircraft carriers luckily were still at sea. The total number of military personnel killed was 2,335, including 2,008 navy personnel, 109 marines, and 218 army. Added to this were 68 civilians, making the total 2403 people dead. 1,177 men alone were from the USS Arizona.

Japan and the United States were struggling with each other financially for years before the incident on Pearl Harbor. In 1937, Japan decided to attack China for their natural resources. Because China and America were allies, The United States took revenge by stopping trade with Japan in 1939. Document C states, “US begins embargo of aircraft and aircraft parts against Japan”. The US did not want Japan to have the necessary equipment to continue their reign of China. A few years later in August 1941, America decided to impose an embargo on oil shipments to

Any hours of flying, all 16 made it, and 15 of those dropped their ordnance on the enemy homeland. 15 planes went on to China, and 1 flew on to the Soviet Union. While the material damage of this raid was minimal, this turned out to be a incredibly important mission. It boosted American morale tremendously, and made the Japanese hastily attack Midway, which became the turning point in the war.

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.” (Senate Document No. 148) This speech would echo through history as the moment the United States officially entered the most costly five year period in all of human history. President Roosevelt continued stating multiple islands and American

There would be a total of one hundred and seven American volunteers, and they would be called the Lafayette Flying Corps. Of the thirty-eight that flew as member of the Lafayette Escadrille only nine had previous flying experience and thirty of these men held college degrees, nine of them coming from Harvard University. It was educated Americans that traveled to France to participate in this war and aid in the success and victory of the Allies prior to the United States entrance into the war. These men would receive their flight training after arriving in France, training that was unique but effective. Fifteen American pilots would earn their brevet, commission, on Bleriots and sixteen earned their brevet on the Caudron G-3 airframe, while the last seven member were taught on various airframes.