Midway Turning Point

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In a time of war when warfighting technology and capabilities are reaching new heights, the status quo for which convention exists is continually changing. At the dawn of World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy was one of the most powerful navies in the world. With little naval presence to deter Japanese aggression in the Pacific, the Imperial Navy would dominate virtually uncontested, aiming to take land that contained vital resources for the sustainment of their country. Then, on December 7, 1941, the Japanese severely overstepped boundaries by bombing Pearl Harbor with the intention of reducing the United States as a threat in the Pacific. With the airpower from six Japanese carriers, the Imperial Navy dealt a blow to the United States that immediately led to a declaration of war on Japan. This event heralded a drawn out struggle between the United States and Japan. As Japan being the dominating power in the Pacific, it was not until the Battle of Midway, starting on June 3, 1942, that the United States gained the upper hand that would later lead to victory in that theater. …show more content…

As one of the greatest turning points of a war in history, the results of Midway served to provide hope for the United States to rival Japanese domination and oppression. Many like to debate about the faults and fatal decisions made by both fighting parties. By systematically analyzing the Battle of Midway utilizing the Principles of War, one will be able to see why maneuverability and taking the offensive helped the United States gain an advantage over the Japanese, and why the Japanese’s failure to comprise and execute a simple and effective plan eventually led not only to their defeat, but the decline of Japan as a naval

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