Japan's Expansion and U.S. Policies to the Pearl Harbor Attack

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At 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941, an American destroyer Ward, in the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, opened fire to a small Japanese submarine that secretly passed Pearl Harbor's antisubmarine gate, which was opened for the minesweeper Crossbill to enter the base. (Wels 111) This was the first shot of the Pearl Harbor attack. The attack was an unexpected attack from Japan to the United States, which caused a heavy loss. About twenty-one vessels damaged, 323 planes shattered, and more than three thousand Americans wounded or dead. (Wels 133-135) The disastrous attack was a response from Japan to some U.S. policies. During World War II, Japan's endless expansion forced the U.S. government to make policies, which were the support to the Allies and Chinese government, and the suppression of Japan's access to resources. Those policies influenced Japan to attack Pearl Harbor. Before the Pearl Harbor attack and the join of the United States, the countries that were participating in the World War II were mostly divided into two groups. One was the Axis, which was led by the Nazis, and was constituted by Germany, Italy, Japan and other Nazis countries. The main goal of the Axis was to expand. The other group was the Allies, which was constituted by countries that were opposite to the Axis, and was led by countries such as Britain, the Soviets, and the Free French, which was the opposing-Nazi French government led by General de Gaulle after the Nazis conquered Paris and the original French government fell. (The History Channel website) During 1935 and 1939, the United States Congress passed the Neutrality Act, including an arm embargo, to declare that they would not involve in foreign conflict. (Miller Center) However, as a nat... ... middle of paper ... ...., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. “Britain recognizes General Charles de Gaulle as the leader of the Free French.” 2014. The History Channel website. Feb 16 2014, 12:32 "Miller Center." American President: Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Foreign Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. Pitt, Barrie, ed. "Pearl Harbor Was It Really a Surprise? 30 Years Later — a New View." History of the Second World War 27 Sept. 1973: 673-700. Print. "The Decline in US-Japanese Relations | Arsenals Of Democracy." Arsenals Of Democracy. N.p., 11 Feb. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2014 "United States Passes Export Control Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. Waller, George M. Pearl Harbor: Roosevelt and the Coming of the War. 3rd ed. Lexington, Massachusetts: D.C. Heath and, 1976. Print. Wels, Susan. Pearl Harbor: America's Darkest Day. Hong Kong: Tehabi, 2000. Print.

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