Japanese Involvement in World War II
On 27 September 1940, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact, along with Germany and Italy, which made them official allies in the European War that was occurring, as well as the Chinese-Japanese war that was occurring. Article III of this treaty states, "Germany, Italy and Japan agree to co-operate in their efforts on aforesaid lines. They further undertake to assist one another with all political, economic and military means when one of the three contracting powers is attacked by a power at present not involved in the European war or in the Chinese-Japanese conflict." (Tripartite Pact, 27 September 1940). (1)
Japan Attacks the United States
On December 7, 1941, Japan This became one of the most tragic moments in United States history. Japan had planned a surprise bombing on Pearl Harbor, a navy base is Hawaii. This bombing destroyed much of the US Pacific fleet. Pearl Harbor was a major part of the reason of the United States getting involved in World War II. It killed at least 2,400 people and injured another thousand. (2)
Causes of Pearl Harbor
Lets take a look at the main cause of this big altercation. There was always tension between Japan and the United States due to competition between growing nations. These tensions escalated quickly when the United States decided to place an embargo on Japan. This embargo blocked japan from receiving crucial materials, like oil, steel, and scrap metal. (3)
So why did the United States place this embargo act on Japan?
This embargo act was put in place because the United States had repeatedly ask Japan to cease the taking over new territories but the Japanese still continued to imperialize. Japan especially wanted to imperialize southern Indochina. President Roosevelt did not want to place an embargo act on oil for the Japanese because he knew that Japan needed oil and if they did not have it, they would most likely invade Indochina. But, an American State Department lawyer, Dean Acheson, drew up plans that would block Japan off from buying any oil from the United States. President Roosevelt did not discover Acheson's plans until Japan had already invaded Indochina and was angry with the United States. (3)
Japan Started to Plan For War
Japan wanted to make an empire, much like German did. Their goal was to imperialize Burma, Malaya, the East Indies, and the Philippines. The Japanese then feared that the U.S pacific fleet in Pearl Harbor would interrupt plans. The Japanese were already angry with the United States after they placed a trade embargo on Japan. As a result, the Japanese army decided to attack Pearl Harbor, a U.S naval base in Hawaii where most of the United States navy was stationed. Prior to the attack, the Americans decoded a Japanese message which allowed them to know that Japan would be attacking America. But America did not know where the attacks would be, when they would be, or how horrible they would be. (3) Japan began attacking the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in the early morning of 7 December 1941. Before Pearl Harbor, the U.S. had never officially been involved in World War II. Japan demolished and damaged a total of 18 ships. 8 of these were battleships. More than 2,400 Americans were murdered and over 1,000 were wounded. (2)
After Pearl Harbor
America declared war on 8 December 1941, the day following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States was now formally involved in World War II. (2) The attacks on Pearl Harbor also caused harsh feelings between Americans and Japanese-Americans. On 19 February 1942, President Roosevelt signed Order 9066, otherwise known as "Establishing the War Relocation Authority in the Executive Office of the President and Defining its Functions and Duties." This called for 10 Japanese Interment camps where 110,000 Japanese-Americans would be moved to. These Interment camps were also known as America's concentration camps. But, the Interment camps were not nearly as terrible as the Nazi concentration camps. Some had car and equipment repair shops and storage areas, schools, canteens, a library, religious services, hospitals, and a post office. But, the Japanese-Americans were all forced out of their homes in America and their lives were severely changed. They had to leave all the friends they had, their luxuries, all because the land where the ancestors lived were fighting against the United States. These camps were used until the end of World War II in 1945. (4)
The "Day of Infamy" Speech
The "Day of Infamy" speech is one of the most famous speeches in American history. President Roosevelt gave this speech to Congress after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It's intention was to convince Congress to joined the Allied Powers against Germany, Italy, and Japan. (5)
Roosevelt's most famous line in the speech was " Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan". ("Day of Infamy" Speech, 7 December 1941) (6)
To summarize, the "Day of Infamy" speech informs the American people of the tragic event that occurred the day before President Roosevelt describes what happened in a truly heartbreaking manner. He talks about how the event was unacceptable, inexcusable, and most importantly, not an accident. He explains how despite Japan and the United States were at peace and that Japan has planned the attack in advance. President Roosevelt strongly closes the speech by stating that America can not and will not stand for this. (6) The same day of the speech, which was also the day after the attack, December 8th, 1941, war was declared on Japan. (7)
Roosevelt's most famous line in the speech was " Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan". ("Day of Infamy" Speech, 7 December 1941) (6)
To summarize, the "Day of Infamy" speech informs the American people of the tragic event that occurred the day before President Roosevelt describes what happened in a truly heartbreaking manner. He talks about how the event was unacceptable, inexcusable, and most importantly, not an accident. He explains how despite Japan and the United States were at peace and that Japan has planned the attack in advance. President Roosevelt strongly closes the speech by stating that America can not and will not stand for this. (6) The same day of the speech, which was also the day after the attack, December 8th, 1941, war was declared on Japan. (7)
The Battle of Okinawa
After the United States had officially declared war, a series of major battles had begun. The Japanese soldiers worked hard and were dedicated. This made it hard for the United States simply because no matter how many battles America had won and no matter how many Japanese soldiers were killed, the Japanese simply refused to give up. The Battle of Okinawa, in April 1945, was a major turning point in the war because, after winning the battle, America understood that the war was coming to an end. The battle lasted a total of 82 days and was supported but air, naval, and tactical forces. The Battle of Okinawa occurred because America wanted control of Okinawa, an island close to the Japanese mainland, because it would give them an advantage in the war. Over 100,000 Japanese soldiers were killed and more than 140,000 Okinawan civilians were injured with nearly 42,000 killed. 38,000 American soldiers were wounded and were 12,000 killed or missing after the battle. Despite major losses, the United States rose superior. America had won the Battle of Okinawa and just six weeks later the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would cause Japan to surrender ending the war. (8)
Sources
1. "Three-Power Pact Between Germany, Italy, and Japan, Signed at Berlin, September 27, 1940." The Avalon Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
2. "Japan Strikes in the Pacific." World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, n.d. 827. Print.
3. Buchanan, Patrick J. "Why Did Japan Attack Us?" The American Cause. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
4. "Life Japanese Internment Camps." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
5. "FDR's "Day of Infamy" Speech: Crafting a Call to Arms." National Archives. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
6. Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Pearl Harbor Address. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
7. "Japan Strikes in the Pacific." World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, n.d. 827. Print.
8. "Battle of Okinawa." GlobalSecurity.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
2. "Japan Strikes in the Pacific." World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, n.d. 827. Print.
3. Buchanan, Patrick J. "Why Did Japan Attack Us?" The American Cause. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
4. "Life Japanese Internment Camps." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
5. "FDR's "Day of Infamy" Speech: Crafting a Call to Arms." National Archives. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
6. Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Pearl Harbor Address. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.
7. "Japan Strikes in the Pacific." World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, n.d. 827. Print.
8. "Battle of Okinawa." GlobalSecurity.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.