Essay on Pearl Harbor

In January 1941, reports were received that Japan might attack Pearl Harbor but military officials ignored these reports. They considered attacks on the Philippines and other European countries to be more likely, underestimating Japan’s ability to conceal preparations for such an operation. Due to the success of the cryptanalysis machine called, Magic, American leaders started breaking Japanese military operational codes. The codes that were deciphered showed Japan was likely to take some type of military action (Irive). At that time, Japan had only a 12-month supply of petroleum to fuel its economy and war operations left. So the U.S. anticipated Japan would act quickly! The only questions that could not be answered were when and where (Woods). Pearl Harbor had been a major naval base since before 1898. In early

Before the assault, the Japanese's army was constantly improving and perfecting their surprise attack strategy. They knew that their plan was extremely risky, so the chance of success depended on complete surprise for the U.S. Pacific fleet. The Japanese attack force, led by Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, began the 3,000 mile sneaky journey. Sneaking Six aircraft carriers, nine destroyers, two battleships, two heavy cruisers, one light cruiser, and three submarines across the Pacific Ocean undetected would be a very challenging task. The

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet, was the principal architect of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Yamamoto himself was personally opposed to war with the UNITED STATES, but knew that Japan’s only hope of success would be to achieve a quick and decisive victory. Japan needed to knock out the UNITED STATES Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. (Pearl Harbor’s History, Filmstrip)

Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor seems unwise, ill-judged, and senseless. The attack was meant to keep the U.S. out of the war, but had the opposite effect and instead made them want to fight and join it. Japan, at this time, was not a major power and having them attack one of the biggest major powers by bombing the U.S. naval base in Hawaii didn’t appear like an appropriate idea for them. Then why did they do it? Japan’s reasons for attacking Pearl Harbor was their plan for a ‘new’ world order, the U.S. oil embargo, and the relocation and expansion of the U.S. naval fleet.

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. After Japan had attacked the US took matters in there own hands . However, Japan and the United States were not at war. Soon after, the United states declared war on Japan. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor for three main reasons: a plan for a new world order, the U.S. oil embargo against them, and the U.S. expansion of its naval fleet. The day after japan had attacked pearl harbor was named a day that will live in infamy .

“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.

(Doc C). Tojo was both Prime Minister and War Minister of Japan. He claimed that when he thought of the expansion of the American Fleet, “he could see no end to difficulty.” He feared that if Japan had just sat back and let America expand its fleet that they would become a third-class nation after two or three years (Doc E). This evidence supports why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because it is clear from Tojo’s statement that the American military posed a threat to Japan as well as creating other problems by expanding our Pacific

The attack on Pearl Harbor is something that is taught in grade school history. However, if it is being taught correctly that’s a different story. As a child, we believe everything that the teacher taught us even if it was a lie. The story of Pearl Harbor is a horrific event that has been revealing more information throughout the years. What was taught in school was Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack by the Japanese. That the Japanese managed to fly into US Airspace and destroy our ships and planes for no reason. As we research more about this particular topic, we discover that the United States was doing a really good job keeping secrets. For example, the Japanese has a reason to attack the US.

Japan bombing Pearl Harbor left 2,403 Americans dead, and millions of citizens startled. Pearl Harbor is a naval base off the coast of Hawaii. After killing thousands of America’s military, the United States was forced to join World War II. Immediately after the strike, many Americans became anti-Japanese and had vengeance for years to come. Japan had many reasons for causing this national uproar. Many people believe the Japanese government bombed Pearl Harbor due to financial disputes, power gains, and safety precautions.

Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbour In December 1941, Pearl Harbour was attacked by the Japanese. It was the consequence of a series of events which brought tension between Japan and America to boiling point. Japan was a country growing in power and stature and America soon came to realise that this growth could prove a threat to them. America aimed to stop Japan's growth in its tracks as they realised that if the situation was left to evolve much longer then the situation may be out of their control.

In July 1940, the U.S. placed an embargo on Japan, hoping they would restrain Japan 's military aggression in China. Japan, a proud nation, would not hear of being dictated to by the United States and began to prepare for the attack on Pearl Harbor in early 1941. Meanwhile, there was some warning of the attack on America, but it went without being duly acknowledged. The day before the attack occurred, a code-breaker intercepted a message from the Japanese concerning the movement of ships at Pearl Harbor. The operator relayed the message to the superior officers who said they would get back to the radioman on Monday, December 8, 1941 (Socolow 43). Also, on the morning of the attack, a radar operator saw a large group of airplanes on the radar screen, and when he reported this, the senior officer said it was probably just some US Bombers and not to worry about them (HistoryNet.Com). The Japanese planes flew under the radar by flying through a pass in the mountains called Kolekole Pass. This maneuver added to the surprise of the attack. The frantic attack began on Sunday at 7:55 in the morning. A little before ten the entire attack was over (Pearl Harbor, Attack On). The men of Pearl Harbor fought with valor.

The Pearl Harbor Attack On December 7, 1941 Japanese launched a surprise attack at Pearl, Harbor Hawaii. Since early 1941, the U.S. had been helping Great Britain in its fights against the Nazis. This pressured the Nazis to stop expansion from Asia to the Pacific. Because of the attack, they weren’t able to avoid the Nazis anymore.

During World War 2 the U.S helped supply the allies with weapons which is possible because of the Lend Lease Act which let the, U.S, give the Allies equipment and money. The Japanese and the Axis powers knew this and showed hatred towards the U.S and were becoming aggressive towards the U.S. So the Japanese became suspicious of the U.S. Even right before the attack the Japanese were negotiating peace talks but that might of been because they were trying to distract the U.S into not becoming more suspicious of the attack. So on December 7th, 1941 General Yamamoto of the Japanese air force decided a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. This attack is still known as one of the most brilliant attacks in history and before the Japanese attacked the General knew that even if the attack was successful Japan would still lose in a long-term war.

“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” (Roosevelt). Japan surprise attacked the Hawaiian naval base, Pearl Harbor, approximately at 7:55 am. The intent of the Japanese strike was to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with plans to seize overseas territories belonging to United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States.

The element of economy of force was also present during the attack on Pearl Harbor. This allowed Japans zero bomber to allocate minimum essential combat power towards the attack. With the economy of force, the element of maneuver also played abig role towards the raid. There were two aerial attack waves, totaling 353 aircraft that was launched from the six Japanese aircraft carriers. In actuality, Admiral Yamamoto’s plans consisted of three waves of attack. The first wave of attacked was launched at 0740 with 163 aircrafts that was coming from the North Shore. Their objective was to destroy airfields at Wheeler, Ewa, Hickam, and Pearl Harbor. The second wave was launched an hour later to the Windward side of the island with