knowledge with regards to the whereabouts of this attack, furthering the argument that the attack was a genuine surprise. American intelligence was unable to speculate or guess the Japanese nation’s intention (source B). This statement is supported by the fact that Japan had meticulously planned the attack, taking various precautionary measures to safeguard the security of their plan (source A). The United States would have found it tremendously difficult to completely decipher the Japanese plan. The messages that were recovered by American intelligence gave no indication that there would be an, “outbreak of hostilities” (Source B). The attack was also a surprise due to the American nations’ ignorance and arrogance. The Americans did not believe …show more content…
The attack only took one hour and fifteen minutes to complete. This clearly indicates that the Japanese were exceptionally well trained. They were therefore able to rapidly execute the attack. A large amount of battles take days to win - the Japanese managed to emerge victorious in less than two hours. This emphasizes the notion that America was in fact taken by surprise since the Japanese attack was swift and precise. The Americans were blindsided, the attack ended just as it had begun. The Japanese had achieved their goal. The Japanese captain, Captain Fuchida sent out a coded message to his comrades, which said that they had successfully caught the Americans by surprise. Adding to the notion that America had been caught by surprise, the Japanese declaration of war had not reached America in time, furthering the fact that America was caught off guard. America had not been warned prior to the attack. By the time that they received the declaration; Japan had already launched its attack on Pearl Harbour (Source E). There is a strong possibility that Japan delivered the warning ‘late’ on purpose due to the fact that it provided them with the opportunity to cause significant damage to an unprepared and oblivious America. The fact that the Japanese had such a strong fleet of military weaponry and transport substantiates the fact that the …show more content…
President Roosevelt and his government claimed that America and Japan had peaceful relations and that it was Americas’ goal to maintain peace in the Pacific. According to Roosevelt, that is why the attack was a surprise (source F). Roosevelt successfully paints a picture of an innocent America and a guilty Japan through his use of propaganda techniques. Roosevelt emphasizes the fact the United States are the peace makers whereas Japan is the instigator. Roosevelt insists that he did not want war, furthering the idea that neither he nor his government wanted to enter a fully-fledged war with Japan. Roosevelt portrays the Japanese as both power hungry and warmongers. The American President’s speech is in agreement with sources A and E. This source once again refers to the meticulous planning by the Japanese. Once again, emphasizing the fact that a surprise attack was unavoidable. America could not have stopped Japan (source F). The fact the American president reiterates the point that the attack was a surprise, emphasizes the argument that Japan was definitely acting as the aggressor. One needs to keep in mind that this source is extremely biased and provides insight regarding American attitude. Roosevelt aims to ensure that the American public were aware of the fact that it was necessary to enter war with Japan as they had committed a war crime against the United States of
While the Imperial Navy’s Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, who was also known as the “chief architect of the attack on Pearl Harbor, stated that he believed it was impossible for Japan to win such a war but Japan had to gain the upper hand at the very beginning so that the United States just might be enticed to the negotiating table” (Timms). Hotta revealed her own interpretation by reviewing relevant published primary sources and the reasons why Japan decided to attack the Pearl Harbor. In addition, everyone talked about going to war such as the “Japan’s top brass referring to the prime minister, the foreign minister, the army and navy ministers, and the chiefs of the army and navy general staff”
“If properly appreciated, this intelligence should have suggested a dispatch to all pacific out post commanders suppling this information” states the Joint Congressional Committee. They issued a report that puts blame on the secretary of was at the time Henry Stimson commander on scene. They also believe Washington officials failed to give notice to interacted massages from Tokyo they intercepted that could have prevented the attack, the message was sent On November 19, 1941, the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo sent out a 'Purple ' message to their consulates all around the world. It stated that they should listen to Japanese news bulletins. If they ended with a weather report saying 'east wind rain ' the attack would be on the US.
On December 7, 1941, the United States of America was attacked by the Japanese naval and aerial forces on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. Following the devastating event, FDR addressed to Congress to declare war on the Japanese Empire. President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew how to get the people of the nation to understand that the attack on Pearl Harbor called for a war. His convincing tactics and approach to his audience demonstrated that a declaration for war was imperative. FDR uses emotional words, his position of authority and his knowledge of the Japanese attacks to rally the American people to support the war effort.
The United States invasion of Japan led to numerous casualties and severe damage yet Japan stood its ground, proving it would fight to the death. At times violence is the answer; Japan had no intention of surrendering, no matter the consequence. U.S. Secretary of war, Henry Stimson, confirms that “only the complete destruction of her military power could open the way to lasting peace”.(Document B) Each day brought great suffering, and the only logical solution to dealing with millions of suicidal soldiers was to kill off the problem. After the Japanese repeatedly refused to surrender the United States was forced to put its nuclear warfare to use and bomb both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, doing what they believed was their only
Some Americans believed that the Japanese military and specifically navy was weak enough that the Americans could launch a successful land invasion on the mainland. However, if this was done it was estimated that over one million American lives would be lost and the Japanese would suffer many causalities as well (Document D). Also, there was many very bloody battles leading up to the dropping of the bombs that would support the idea. For example, Pearl Harbor that left 2,402 people dead and 1,100 people wounded. Battles like Pearl Harbor left Americans dead and supplies diminished (Document A).
Sharif Khan 3/27/17 WWII Review CH. 10 Hist. 102 Although FDR implemented an isolationist approach to running the country he contradictorily was preparing for the war that’s already been started between the Axis powers and Allies. When Japan began taking over China and the people of US began fearing the fascist social constructs that was spreading around the globe, FDR decided it was time that he’d intervene in the international conflict to prevent further declination of democracy across the globe. FDR decided to freeze Japanese assets in the US which upset the Japanese because the Japanese started suffering without the US products, this led Japan to lead an offensive against the US in the Pearl Harbor bombing.
FDR was present for the Japanese-American Internment Camps as well as the Second World War. America and Japan were in great tension with each other; anyone could have suspected this happening, yet no one did anything. The Pearl Harbor attack of 1941 struck and war was declared. Since this point, things
Rahul Bagga Mr.Campbell US History, Period 0 16 December 2015 Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? One day that will always be remembered by America is the date of December 7, 1941, which changed American history forever. December 7, 1941 was the day the Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) which stationed many of American ships and airfields. Immediately after the bombings, United States President Franklin Roosevelt declared war on Japan, leading to a direct involvement into World War ll. Japan had many reason to do so but Japan attacked Pearl harbor for three reasons which were that they had a plan for a new world order, United States were expanding their number of naval ships rapidly, and an oil embargo was placed upon Japan
This was because everyone in America was caught by complete surprise. Doing things by surprise is a common thing, but brings out the worse in everyone. When this happened, there were over 3,000 U.S. Casualties, over 300 U.S. Aircraft damaged/destroyed, and over 20 U.S. Ships damaged/destroyed. This was also a big reason for the A-bomb because it was unnecessary for Japan to kill so many American lives and property, all because they were upset that former president Franklin D. Roosevelt interfered with Japan’s internal affairs. If that was their main reason, they could have figured some thing out through words, not actions like this one, It was necessary for the dropping of the Atomic bomb because the attack on Pearl Harbor needed to be payed back.
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? If you were threatened by an individual, would you throw the first punch or wait for the attack. This is how Japan felt when they were trying to dominate Asia. On Sunday December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked the United State’s biggest naval base, Pearl Harbor. This attack was a turning point for the United States because this was one factor that brought them into World War II to fight against the Axis Powers.
We even gave Japan a warning of the incoming bomb before it happened, like in document 5 “We call upon the Government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such actions. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction...” (Potsdam Declaration) The Potsdam Declaration warned the Japanese of impending doom but still they fought on without the outlook to give
For the Japanese, it was a devastating blow that shattered their confidence and morale. It was also a wake-up call for other nations that had been considering challenging the United States, as it demonstrated the extreme measures that the United States were willing to take to maintain their position of
When I first saw the title of the argument, I suddenly remembered the show I watched whether President Roosevelt knew the information that Japan was planning an attack on Pearl Harbor or not. Because the show was only focusing on the myth that the President knew the upcoming attack, it was interesting to read two different arguments. The argument first starts with explaining what caused Japan to attack on Pearl Harbor. Then two authors named Robert A. Theobald and Roberta Wohlsteetter claim each yes and no argument. According to the paper, Theobald is a “retired rear admiral,” who wrote The Final Secret of Pearl Harbor, which contends President Roosevelt knew the information that Japan was coming to attack on Pearl Harbor.
Roosevelt impassions support for the war effort through his use of emotional diction through his declaration of war. He uses certain phrases to alienate the Japanese from the American people and show them as an enemy of the American people. Throughout his speech he uses phrases like “this form of
On December 8th, 1941 Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a speech to the House of Representatives, Members of the Senate, the House Speaker, to the Vice President, and to the American people. Franklin spoke of the incident of the attack on Pearl Harbor the day after it occurred. Mr. Roosevelt was stern and concise. He spoke on the occasion of tragedy to inform the House and the American people what the Japanese have done.