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Japan's Aggression growing
Japan began its invasion of Manchuria on September 18 for raw materials like oil and war materials. This started a conflict with China which at the time was being given supplies by the US which then started to build up tension. The League of Nations condemned Japan but did nothing else. Japan withdrew from the league of nations 2 years later in March 1933. -
Stopping Japan?
The US abrogated the 1911 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with Japan which meant the US could now begin to restrict what materials Japan got. They thought they could stop Japan from invading china anymore than they already have. 2 years later, the US placed an embargo of oil against Japan which completely cut off their oil trading with the USA in July 1941. The US was Japan's biggest oil supplier at the time which meant they either had to conquer more land for oil or leave china completely. -
Signs of an Attack
Before the attack occurred, George Elliott was practicing using the radar when he noticed a large number of planes headed in his direction. He told his superior who told him to disregard it as a large number of American B-17 bombers were expected. There was another sign of an attack coming soon because there was a sighting of a Japanese submarine by the USS Condor. -
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USS Arizona and the USS Utah
The USS Arizona was one of two unsalvagable battleships. She was hit by many bombs and one of the bombs hit the fuel tank which caused a massive explosion and ended up sinking the battleship with more than 1,000 people trapped inside. Efforts were made to retrieve the ship but it was then decided to leave it as is. The USS Utah was another unsalvagable ship that was hit by torpedos which caused her to start filling with water and eventually roll to her side. Declared out of service days later. -
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The attack on Pearl Harbor
Just before 8 am, a fleet of Japanese planes was spotted above the Oahu islands, Hawaii. A total of about 350 Japanese planes started to shoot and bombard any naval vessel and airplane they saw. The US lost about 20 naval vessels which included 8 battleships and over 300 aircraft and they had more than 3,400 casualties. The Japanese lost 5 midget submarines and about 30 aircraft with a total number of casualties of about 60 men. -
Kazuo Sakamaki
Kazuo Sakamaki was the first Japanese war prisoner for ww2. All of his fellow sailors were killed and he was taken, prisoner. Immediately after being taken prisoner, he asked to commit suicide since he would rather be dead than dishonored. Eventually, after the war was over he was sent back to Japan where he became committed to pacifism. He worked for the Toyota Motor Corporation until he retired in 1987. -
Impact of the Attack
The day after the attack, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke with Congress and gave a speech that unified the American people and got rid of the idea of staying neutral, and asked Congress to declare war on Japan. That same day, Congress declared war on Japan which officially brought America into WW2.