Waking a Sleeping Giant: Pearl Harbor

1750 Words4 Pages

In an effort to attain control of the Pacific Ocean, Japan launched an unprecedented attack against the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Despite the isolationist attitude of America prior to joining World War II, an embargo against Japan in part prompted the terrible offence. Hideki Tōjō, a radical conservative, had recently been elected Prime Minister of Japan, under his leadership; a plan to expand the Empire of Japan was developed. The attack planned by the Japanese Admiral Isoruko Yamamoto who had been educated in America, and had served two tours of duty in the United States was strategically quite brilliant (Japan). Many factors afforded the opportunity for Japan’s success in the assault. The ignorant arrogance of the United States government in balancing its military distribution created a serious vulnerability. Additionally, the U.S. radar technology was still very new and delivery of intercepted Japanese intelligence was poorly handled. Although significant damage was incurred, the greatest assets of the U.S. Navy, its aircraft carriers, were not docked at Pearl Harbor. Not only did over 2,000 Americans perish (both military and civilian), 55 Japanese aviators died as well. Despite previous rallies to remain uninvolved with World War II, Americans were so angry at the unprovoked attack, lines formed around the block at military recruitment offices; in effect, attacking Pearl Harbor woke a sleeping giant.
America, under the leadership of President Franklin Roosevelt, had embraced a separatist attitude during the initial stages of World War II (World War II). Despite the popularity of this attitude, which was in response to the great depression and World War I, President Roosevelt persuaded Co...

... middle of paper ...

...e Day The Admirals Slept Late. 3rd Edition. New York: Kensington Publishing Corporation, 1963. Print.
"Japan Launches A Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941." Global Events: Milestone Events Throughout History. Vol. 6: North America. Detroit: Gale, 2013. World History in Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
Larew, Karl G. “December 7, 1941: the day no one bombed Panama.” The Historian 66.2 (2004):278+. World History in Context. Web. 15.Nov.2013
United State Government. National Security Agency. Pearl Harbor Review - The Investigations. 2009. Web.
United States. Air Force. Commentary - December 7, 1941: The Sleeping Giant Awakens. By Paul V. Hester, General. N.p., 08 Dec. 2006. Web. 29 Nov. 2013.

“World War II.” Gale Encyclopedia of American Law. Ed. Donna Batten. 3rd ed. Vol. 10. Detroit:Gale, 2010. 457-460. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 26 Nov. 2013

Open Document