Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”

Economic Depression Hits Japan•Japanese industries had to import nearly all of the resources they needed toproduce goods.

•During the 1920’s Japan did not earn enough money from its exports to pay for its imports, which limited economic growth.

•When the depression struck, other countries raised their tariffs. This made the situation even worse.

Militarists Take Control of Japan•Japanese military leaders argued that seizing territory was the only way Japan could get the resources it needed.

•In 1931, the Japanese army invaded Manchuria, a resource-rich region of northern China.

•When the Japanese prime minister tried to stop the war by negotiating with China, officers assassinated him. From that point forward, the military controlled Japan. Hideki Tojo

In 1937, Japan invaded China. By 1941, much of the Chinese coast is controlled by Japan. Roosevelt responded by sending lend-lease aid to China. By July 1941, Japan has invaded French Indochina, posing a direct threat to the British Empire.

America Embargoes Japan• In response to Japanese aggression in Asia, President Roosevelt

A. froze all Japanese assets in the United States B. reduced the amount of oil shipped to Japan (including airplane fuel and scrap iron) C. sent General Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines to build up American defenses there.

• Roosevelt made it clear that the oil embargo would end only if Japan withdrew from Indochina and made peace with China.

Peace or War?

While the Japanese government appeared tobe negotiating for peace ingood faith with the U.S.,they were secretly preparing for war.

Japanese diplomats Nomura and Kurusa

Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Film Clip on Japanese Attack

Japanese Attack Route

Nov. 26, 1941

Dec. 4, 1941

Dec. 7, 1941

Japanese Aircraft Attack Route

The Japanese fleet was 230 miles north of the island of O'ahu at 6:00 a.m. on December 7, 1941. Six aircraft carriers launched the first wave of 184 planes towards O'ahu. These planes began attacking Pearl Harbor shortly thereafter. At about the same time, attacks occurred at Kaneohe, Hickam, Bellows, and Wheeler airfields. At 7:05 a.m., a second wave of 167 bombers were launched.

*All U.S. ships, except the USS Arizona, the USS Utah, and the USS Oklahoma, were salvaged and later saw action.

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Japanese Fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

USS Arizona Memorial