Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was a pivotal moment in world history that led to the
United States' entry into World War II. The surprise military strike against
the U.S. naval base in Hawaii had far-reaching consequences, changing the
course of the war and shaping global events for years. This article
will comprehensively overview the attack, its causes, effects,
and historical significance.
Causes of the Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was not
isolated but was rooted in a complex web of political, economic,
and military factors. Under Emperor Hirohito's leadership, Japan sought to
expand its empire in Asia and the Pacific, driven by a desire for natural
resources and economic dominance. However, Japan faced financial challenges,
including a lack of resources due to international sanctions imposed by the
United States and other countries in response to Japan's invasion of China.
Additionally, Japan faced opposition
from the United States, which had supported China in its resistance
against Japanese aggression. The U.S. government, led by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt, had imposed an embargo on Japan, freezing its assets and restricting
its access to vital resources such as oil, iron, and steel. This embargo severely
impacted Japan's economy and military capabilities, further fueling its desire
to secure resources in the Pacific.
In this context, Japan's leaders,
including Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, devised a
plan to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a
pre-emptive strike to gain time and resources for their expansionist goals. The
attack on Pearl Harbor was thus driven by Japan's ambitions for regional
dominance, its economic challenges, and its perception of the United States as
a threat to its expansionist plans.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On the morning of December 7, 1941,
Japan launched a surprise military attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl
Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The attack involved a
coordinated assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy, including aircraft carriers,
battleships, submarines, and airplanes. The attack caught the United States off
guard, and the damage was devastating.
The Japanese attack destroyed eight American battleships, including the USS Arizona, which
sank with the loss of over 1,100 crew members. In addition, three cruisers and
four destroyers were severely damaged or sunk, and almost 200 aircraft were
destroyed, with many others damaged. The attack also caused extensive damage to
the base's infrastructure, including fuel storage facilities, shipyards, and
airfields.
The human toll of the attack was
immense, with 2,403 Americans killed, including military personnel and
civilians, and over 1,200 injured. The attack shocked the American people and
led to a profound sense of outrage and determination to respond.
Consequences of the Attack
The attack on Pearl Harbor had
far-reaching consequences for the United States and the global
conflict of World War II. In response to the attack, President Roosevelt addressed
the U.S. Congress the following day, famously declaring it as "a date
which will live in infamy," and called for a declaration of war against
Japan. The U.S. Congress swiftly approved the declaration of war, and the
United States officially entered World War II.
The attack on Pearl Harbor
galvanized the American public and led to a surge of patriotism and support for
the war effort. The U.S. government implemented measures to
mobilize the country for war, including rationing goods, recruiting soldiers, and retooling the American economy for wartime
production. The attack on Pearl Harbor united the American people and
transformed the nation's economy, society, and foreign policy.
In addition to its domestic impact,
the attack on Pearl Harbor also had significant international consequences. The
United States' entry into the war altered the global balance of power and
transformed the nature of the conflict. The United States became a key player
in the Allied forces, which included the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and
other countries fighting against the Axis powers, including Japan, Germany, and
Italy. The U.S. military launched a series of offensives in the Pacific,
including the famous island-hopping campaign, to push back the Japanese forces
and regain control of strategic territories.
The attack on Pearl Harbor also had
diplomatic repercussions. The United States severed diplomatic relations with
Japan and declared war, leading to a wider global conflict. Japan's action was
widely condemned by the international community, and many countries, including
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, declared war on Japan in solidarity with
the United States. The attack on Pearl Harbor intensified anti-Japanese
sentiment in the United States, leading to the internment of Japanese
Americans, where thousands of Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and
interned in camps for the duration of the war.
Historical Significance
The attack on Pearl Harbor is
considered a turning point in World War II and a defining moment in American
history. It propelled the United States from a stance of neutrality to an
active participant in the global conflict. The attack mobilized the American
people and unleashed the entire industrial and military might of the United
States, which played a crucial role in the eventual defeat of the Axis powers.
The attack on Pearl Harbor also led
to significant changes in U.S. foreign policy. Before the attack, the United
States had pursued a policy of isolationism, avoiding involvement in overseas
conflicts. However, the attack shattered this isolationist stance, and the
United States adopted a more interventionist foreign policy, focusing on global engagement and protecting its national interests abroad. The
attack on Pearl Harbor marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy, with the United
States emerging as a superpower and a leader in the post-war international
order.
References:
Borg, D. (2005). Pearl Harbor as viewed from Japan. Pacific Historical Review,
74(4), 479-508. doi:10.1525/phr.2005.74.4.479
Friedman, K. (2011). Day of Deceit: The truth about FDR and Pearl Harbor.
New York, NY: Random House.
Goldstein, D. M. (2001). The Pacific War Papers: Japanese Documents of
World War II. Washington, DC: Potomac Books.
Prange, G. W., Goldstein, D. M., & Dillon, K. V. (1988). At Dawn, We
Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
U.S. Department of Defense. (2016). Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Retrieved from https://www.dpaa.mil/Our-Missing/World-War-II/World-War-II-FAQs/Attack-on-Pearl-Harbor/
U.S. Department of State. (1941). Public Papers of the Presidents of the
United States: Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1941, Volume X. Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office.
Wohlstetter, R. (1962). Pearl Harbor: Warning and decision. Stanford, CA:
Stanford University Press.