Why Did Japan Bomb Pearl Harbor

From Tension to Tragedy Why do people hurt one another? Throughout history, there are many tragic events that make us ask this question. One event that has been looked and picked over is the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Japanese submarines and planes attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. This surprise attack shocked many Americans allowing the present and future historians and politicians look more into the reason behind this devastation. Using the research shown, one can see that economic and trade conflict, ideas of world expansion, and previous tension with the United States all were key factors that went into the final decision to attack. In summary, Pearl Harbor was bombed due to conflict with the US. Due to the reaction of Japanese intentions in the late 1930’s, conflict began to raise involving the economy and trade. After the United States were aware of the Japanese < new order,= they decided to take action. This < new order= was the Japanese way of saying they wanted to take over East Asia and the world. Fearing the consequences, in 1939 the US places an embargo of aircraft and aircraft part against Japan. Furthermore, in 1941 the US freezes all Japanese assets and bank accounts and also imposes an embargo on oil shipments to Japan (Document C). As a major key supplier of Japan’s resources, it is clear to see why this might anger the Japanese. They would feel targeted and scarce in supplies needed for their current endeavors. This conflict between the United States and Japan is a reasonable motivation for Japanese attack. As previously discussed, Japan had plans for the future to come. They had certain ideals that involved, in short, world domination. In a textbook that was standard required educational reading material called The Way of the Subjects touched on the topic of such ideals. It states that < The ideals of Japan… are represented by the principle that the benevolent rule of the Emperor may be extended so as to embrace the whole world=(Document A). This simply implies that they want the Emperor to rule the world. Seeing as they have already progressed in starting to take over East Asia, this might frighten the US. In summary, Japan’s principles of eventual domination give reason for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Before the United States interfered with their previous set trade policies with Japan, another situation occurred that angered the eastern country. The United States Congress passes the Immigration Quota Act in 1924 causing Japanese feelings of humiliation and hurt (Hook). This bill limited the number of immigrants from southern and eastern parts of Europe and completely restricted Japanese immigrants. Japan felt extremely targeted, especially with no previous major conflicts between them and the US. In their local published papers the Japanese said that the bill would hurt them for generations to come. If this is true, this past tension with the US can be a valid reason for the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. Although there are many other specifics, the main reasoning for Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor can be credited to problems between them and the United States. There were defenses that caused trade issues, ideals involving world dominations, and past conflict associated with the US that all tie to this concept. So there is a reason for everything. Some more complicated and less forgivable than others. But all you can do is try and heal from the wounds that were made.