World War Two was well under way when the Japanese bombed Pearl Habour. It came as a shock to many and is a very reminiscent incident. The event that took place on December 7, 1941 has and always will be a very significant event in American and world history. It shaped the way of the war and left a huge impact on society. Just the name Pearl Harbor Essay brings to mind the infamous day when the United States were forced into World War Two.
During the 20s Japan suffered greatly due to industrial overcapacity and increased competeion in Asia. Japan was left struggling to get back on top and was desperate for ecomonic growth. Also, there was a shortage of foreign food supplies to keep up with their growing population. And, with the Depression in 1931, this desolate country took a major blow, especially in terms of their trading economy. Japan was left with little and was forced to acquire new resources from China.
Although times were bad in Japan, they were motivated by their quest for supremecy. In 1931 The Japanese Imperial Army invaded Manchuria and set up a puppet state, Manchuko. The League of Nations comdemned this attack and Japan replied by withdrawing from the League. By the easy conquest of Manchuria, the Japanese were eager to obtain more.
By 1937, they were ready for a full invasion of China. Large areas were occupied along the coast as well as the Hainan Islands in 1939. Meanwhile, plans for war were underway lead by Japanese Admiral Yamamoto. President Roosevelt was beginning to sense the possibility of war and began to ready his armed forces.
He increased the U.S defence forces fund by $500 million as he was concerned of German threat as well. Also, by May 1940, Roosevelt ordered the U. S. Pacific Fleet from California to Pearl Habor as a warning to Japan. Relations between these countries had fallen apart and Japan felt it needed reassurance.
In September of the same year, Japan joined the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy. This agreement gave them the srength they needed to force major issues with thr U. S. Japan pushed its luck in 1941 when they invaded French Indochina.
The U. S. government issued a total trade embargo. All assets were frozen but most harmful was lack of oil. This greatly threatened Japans industries as 80 percent of its oil came from the United States. To Japan this was the event that would cause them to realize war was necessary.
Yamamoto began devising his master plan- Operation Hawaii. He began his plan in January, 1941. He believed the attack on Pearl Habour was the first step of seizing the oil-rich Netherlands, East Indies and to break the trade embargo. Yamamoto conversed with other Japanese officers and came to the coclusion that an attack on Pearl Habor was possible but would be hard. The Admiral realized though, that he had an advantage over the American Navy. Although they were smaller in size, the U.
S. ships were spread throughout the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It turned out the Japanese had a numerical advantage. And, in the spring of 1941, the German U-boat crisis forced the U. S.
to send a quarter of their force to the Pacific Ocean. This was Japans opportunity. Yamaotos total objective in this battle was to sink all three aircraft carriers, at least four of the nine battleships and to immobilize the fleet for six months up to a year. He hoped to devastate the fleet while the Imperial Army made their move to conquer more territory. He planned his secret attack for December 7, 1941.
Yamamoto relied on Japans new weapon, the aircraft carrier. 355 planes would take off from 6 aircraft carriers: the first time in history this sort of tactic was used. It was hoped to take the emeny by surprise. But, a risk was involved since this had never been done before. The Japanese naval fleet consisted of the six aircraft carriers: Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, 2 fast battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 9 destroyers and 3 picket submarines.
Also, eight tankers were brought along to refuel the destroyers. The weapon of choice for the ships was the torpedo which was .
