Objective Question: Was the Pearl Harbor attack really a surprise?

Traditional American narrative: We were just minding our own business when Japan attacked us for no reason!

In an act of “gunboat diplomacy” the U.S. forced Japan to sign an unequal treaty with an imperial power expanding into the Western Pacific. (1853) Admiral Perry, Edo Harbor

European powers had been colonizing Asia for centuries, disrupting societies and exploiting people for their own financial gain. China Opium Wars India

Meiji reformers in Japan pushed their nation to adopt modern ways to protect Japan from succumbing to European power. “Meiji Restoration”

During the Meiji Restoration, Japan copied the modern powers of its age – all of whom were creating imperial empires.

Japan’s dreams of empire started in Korea and Taiwan. KOREA, 1876 TAIWAN (Formosa), 1894

Japan’s first act of imperial aggression came in 1876… Japanese warships “open” Korea to Japanese trade at the Treaty of Gangwha (They will formally “annex” Korea in 1910)

The Qing Dynasty of China was opposed to Japanese “meddling” in Korea – a war ensued. Japanese soldiers winning the “First Sino-Japanese War” war…

First Sino-Japanese War Japan established its first colony on Formosa (Taiwan), and dominated parts of mainland China Demonstrated to the world that Japan was no longer weak and primitive.

At the start of the 20 th Century Asia/Pacific was divided between rival powers.

Imperial Russia was moving into Korea in 1905…Japan attacked. Japanese sneak attack at Port Arthur, 1905

The Japanese humiliated Russia during the Russo-Japanese war. Again, the world saw that Japan was a force to be reckoned with.

During World War I, Japan joined the Allies and took several colonies away from Germany. Caroline and Bismarck Islands Mariana and Marshall Islands Tsingtao, China

Through skillful negotiation, and aggressive diplomacy, Japan’s status as a power in Asia continued to grow. The other colonial powers in the region – Britain, the United States, France, and the Netherlands – watched nervously.

Throughout the 1920s, Japans growing strength led it to feel a sense of intense nationalism and militarism. The Emperor linked the ancient Samurai “bushido” code to the Western ideology of fascism— sacrifice yourself for Japan. Emperor Hirohito

Still, Japan needed tin, oil, and rubber to maintain its economic strength. tinoil rubber Purchased from the US and its Asian colonies like the Philippines.

In a bid for raw materials, in 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria and set up a puppet government

The world condemned Japan for its aggression, but did little else. Five years later, in 1937 Japan would invade China. Japanese entering Nanking, 1937

Invasion of Nanking Readings Read the two sources and determine which source came from a Japanese textbook, and which came from a Chinese textbook. Then read the historian’s account. Cite evidence!

In a demonstration of the brutality of the Imperial Japanese Army, the city of Nanking was subjected to one of the most horrific civilian massacres in human history. 300,000 murders 100,000 rapes torture/beatings sex slaves

Shanghai was burned. Eastern China became a puppet of Japan’s growing power.

After much resistance by big American businesses, an American “embargo” was eventually placed on Japan to punish it for its war in China. (Embargo: When one country refuses to trade with another.) $

The U.S. Embargo deprived Japan of its much needed oil, rubber, tin and scrap metal that it needed to continue its war with China.

Consequences of the 1940 U.S. Embargo Japan is forced to look elsewhere for resources… Japan joins the Axis powers in an military alliance (the Tripartite Pact) Japan’s military takes Indochina from the defeated French Good feelings between Japan and the US evaporate…

By 1940, Japan has a choice. Either: quit its war with China, retreat in defeat and shame, lose their empire -- OR -- Fight to get the resources it needs to continue its expansion. (Which would you choose?)

Where might Japan get resources? oil rubber, rice tin, iron

Who had the power to stop Japan? Dutch fleet (Jakarta) British fleets American fleet American air power

Would Japan have the courage to defy odds and attack a larger power? China, 1894 Russia, 1905 Germany, 1915 France, 1940

Pearl Harbor Letter Was the U.S. aware of a potential attack before December 7, 1941?

January 24, 1941 “My dear secretary: the Security of the U.S. Pacific Fleet while in Pearl Harbor…has been under renewed study...If war eventuates with Japan…it is believed easily possible that hostilities would be initiated by a surprise attack upon the Fleet or the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor.” --- Henry Stimson, Secretary of War

Despite some diplomatic signals that Japan was planning something big, the attack that came on December 7 th,1941 surprised the American navy at their huge colony in Hawaii.

Roosevelt called the deadly attack a “date which will live in infamy” and asked Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. Some evidence suggests I had advance warning of the attack. This is highly disputed.

Dutch fleet (Jakarta) British fleets American fleet American air power Along with the United States, all the other powers in the region were also attacked. Dec. 7, Hawaii, Philippines, Wake, Malaya, Thailand, Shanghai, Midway Dec. 10, Guam Dec. 16 Borneo Dec. 18 Hong Kong Jan 11 Dutch East Indies Jan 23, Solomon Islands April 29 Burma

On the eve of Pearl Harbor…