Pearl Harbor

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On December 7, 1941, just before 8 am, Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii. This was a surprise attack on the American military. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the final piece that led the United States into World War II. Prior to this attack, Japan had issues with the United States and other large government countries starting in 1915. Japan put its “Twenty One Demands” on China, giving Japan a bigger status in parts of the country. When the United States enforced the Open Door Policy, Japan’s demands were no longer enforced. Later, the Great Depression in the U.S. made Japan’s economic problems worse; they were dependent on international trade since their island country had only few natural resources. To add to their list of problems, Japan was overpopulated and many countries, mainly the United States, had denied entry of Japanese immigrants. Japan’s military leaders thought the only way to solve the country’s issues was to invade China. After several aggressions against parts of China, the United States had issued a policy to limit economic sanctions against Japan, refuse the recognition of Japanese military conquests, and equal military and economic assistance for China. Japan blamed foreign interference for China’s refusal to give in to Japan’s terms. The Japanese then wanted to find a way to block foreign assistance from getting to China, so they could then take over the country. In 1940, Japan saw Germany as a strong and reliable country to team up with because of their lightning victories. At the time, there were territories in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific that were controlled by large power European countries, such as France, the Netherlands and Britain. It was bel... ... middle of paper ... ...he Nation (12-08-41)." American Rhetoric: Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation (12-08-41). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. Navy, US. "The Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941." Naval History & Heritage Command. US Navy, n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. . "Pearl Harbor." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. . United States and East Asia, 1915–1941."EDSITEment!. National Endowment for the Humanities, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. "USS Arizona Memorial." USS Arizona Memorial. Arizona Memorial Museum Foundation, n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2014. . Wohlstetter, Roberta. Pearl Harbor; warning and decision. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1962. Print.

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