Essay On Japan's Attack On Pearl Harbor

The Purpose of Japan’s Attack on Pearl Harbor

Approximately 2,008 navy servicemen, 218 army personnel, 109 marines, and 68 civilians lost their lives in the chaos of December 7, 1941. On that night, unknown to the United States, Japan led an ambush on the American forces in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, destroying three ships and over 150 aircraft. Stunned at the suddenness of the attack and the reality that Japan had lashed out against them, the U.S. Congress immediately proceeded to declare war the following day. But why were these actions taken by the Japanese government? This attack was never about terror, as the destruction caused by it may lead one to think, but rather strategy and careful planning on the part of the Japanese. As a result of

After years and years of being pushed around by stronger powers than itself, such as the US, Britain, and France, Japan was ready to make some changes to bring themselves to the top, to become the “New Order” of the world. However, as Japan sought to obtain this “power”, they discovered that to acquire it they were going to have to get involved with the United States, which was, at the time, one of the more influential and dangerous countries to mess with. The Japanese presented their viewpoint in a document called “The Way of the Subjects”, which was distributed for required reading among Japanese high schools and colleges in 1941, just months before Pearl Harbor. Within this text, it is explained to the reader that the previous world powers, such as those in Europe and America, are about to lose their influence over the globe, and that Japan and its ideals are to reign in their stead. It claims that the pure race of the Yamato resides in Japan, and that this race—and therefore the influence and control of Japan — was meant to maintain control over the land of Manchuria (which Japan had already occupied around 1932 (Doc B)), and from there, inhabit all of East Asia (including the vast territory of