Day Of Infamy Essay

The Day of Infamy

By Spencer Niemann

December 7th, 1941. This was the date of one of the most important attacks on the United States in the history of America. This was the date of the Japanese attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor was the last straw that led to the United States joining World War II as part of the Allied Power. The bombing was in reaction to many economic sanctions that were placed on Japan, so the bombing was not just to make the United States mad. We can see many reasons as to why Japan would bomb Pearl Harbor.

There were many events that led up to Japan making the decision to bomb Pearl Harbor. It all started with Japan wanting to expand their power. Japan started trying to take over Asia, they landed in the east coast of China in Manchuria and stationed troops there in order to try and take over northeastern China. ("Japan Launches A Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941"). In reaction to Japan’s landing and hostility towards China the United States, who wanted to keep the open-door policy with China, placed economic sanctions of Japan to slow down Japan’s advances in China. (Higgs). President Roosevelt hoped that these sanctions that the united states put on Japan would lead them to making the mistake of declaring war on the United States (which would also bring Italy and Germany into the attack too since they were all allied) the reason why Roosevelt would want to go to war was that Roosevelt didn’t like the Japanese and the Germans. However Roosevelt did like China, although we don’t know for sure why but many think it was because his ancestors made money in China . (Higgs). Japan was angered by the United States putting these ...

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...ly men began to form long lines at army and navy recruiting centers to enlist for the army and navy, mainly for the need to get revenge on Japan. (“Pearl Harbor Attack.”)

Although Pearl Harbor was the main naval base to be attacked on December 7th 1941, it was not the only base attacked, the Japanese government launched an attack against Malaya, and Japanese forces also attacked Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, Wake Island and Midway Island. (Rose 213-215). The Japanese attacking these islands were important because they were allies to the United States and also if Japan was to take over these islands they would have a lot of control of the Pacific and of course the United States didn’t want this to happen. So the Americans knew that they didn’t have many options other than engaging into war with Japan, which lead to the United States joining World War II.