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Japanese interests
Nationalism and imperialism drove Japanese interests by the late 1920s. The small island nation needed resources for its growing population and ambition. -
Period: to
Events that led to U.S. involvement in WWII
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Manchuria
Japan invaded Manchuria, a region in China. -
Manchukuo
The Japanese puppet-state of Manchukuo was set up in the region known as Manchuria. It was formally recognized by Japan on this date. -
War
Japan went to war with China/ -
French Indochina
As part of the war with China, Japan invaded French Indochina (modern day Vietnam). -
Tripartite Pact
Japan entered into an alliance with Germany and Italy. -
American retaliation
In response to Japanese actions, the U.S. placed an embargo on oil, steel, and iron exports to Japan. On this date FDR also froze Japanese assets in the U.S. -
The Hull Note
Secretary of State Cordell Hull outlined what needed to be done by Japan in order for the U.S. to end the embargo. Japan refused the terms. -
Special torpedoes
With negotiations in D.C. failing, the Japanese executed their plan to attack the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, HI. These torpedoes were specially designed so as not to sink in the shallow waters of the harbor. -
USS Arizona
The American battleship, the USS Arizona sank during the attack. A memorial was built over the ship in the harbor. Visit the following link to explain this picture of oil spots in the water.
Pearl Harbor -
Radar towers on Oahu
Radio transmissions in HI on the morning of December 7, 1941 detected oncoming aircraft, but they were dismissed as friendly planes. Visit the link to view warnings received before the attack.
Warning messages
