Why Did Japan Attack Pearl Harbour?

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In December 1941, Pearl Harbour was attacked by the Japanese. It was the
consequence of a series of events which brought tension between Japan and
America to boiling point. Japan was a country growing in power and stature and
America soon came to realise that this growth could prove a threat to them.
America aimed to stop Japan's growth in its tracks as they realised that if the
situation was left to evolve much longer then the situation may be out of their
control. However,
it can be argued that by not seriously dealing with this threat until the 1940's,
America had left things too late and faced an opponent who would not back
down.

Japan was a country of contradictions in the early 1900's. Her growth in industry
was a major factor for influencing her growth of power; whilst at the same time
their structure was a very traditional
political one. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito was right in the centre of the
Japanese government. The emperor made Japan very militaristic and the military
had a very strong influence in Japan. Japan's growth in industry had risen greatly
since in the preceding 50 years and still it continued to grow. For this growth to
take place though, they relied greatly on imports from other countries to feed
their growing population. One of those countries they relied on was America.
They also relied greatly on America for immigration, due to the fast growth of the
Japanese population. She still wanted to expand further, and at the time, the
best option was to increase her trade links overseas.

Still supplying raw materials, America became gradually more aware of Japan's

increase in size and military strength. They became more and more worried by it
because they realised that if they grew anymore, then Japan may prove a threat
to America and her trade. At the Washington Conferences in 1921, America
reasoned with the Japanese government and decided that Japan's naval bases
and naval arms would be limited. For every 5 ships that America had, Japan
would be allowed a maximum of 3. Although Japan agreed, they still aimed to
expand more so that they could become one of the major world powers.

The Great Depression in America hit Japan with force. Japan was affected
because America's trade was vital to Japan's survival. Trade with America
became limited and Japans economic prosperity was at risk. Japan needed more
imports. The army decided on a militaristic option and seized Manchuria, as it
had rich supplies of raw materials such as coal, iron ore, timber and rice. They
believed that by expanding, Japan could become more powerful. As Japanese
troops were
already stationed in Manchuria, it proved an easy target for the Japanese. The
Americans, focusing on their own needs, did not interfere with the seizing of
Manchuria. This proved to be a bad decision for them as their trade links with
China were badly affected, but more importantly Because of the success in
Manchuria the military gained power. The public became more enthusiastic and
supportive of militaristic nationalism. This led to the military running the
government by the late 1930s as many people supported expansion and control
in Asia. In the future, Japan would be more aggressive and there would be less
chance that they would back down to the Americans. In 1937, Japan attacked the
rest of China, indicating to America that Japan was a definite threat to their trade
links.

By July 1940, America's President Roosevelt had decided he must take action
against Japan's expansion. He banned the export of strategic materials to Japan.
By doing this he hoped to halt their expansion. He also decided that a massive
American Naval Expansion was in order. By doing this he hoped that Japan would
fear America because the American Navy was a major strength in the Pacific
Region. He hoped to threaten Japan into ending her aggression.

In September and December of the same year, Roosevelt cut off all supplies of
aviation fuel, steel, scrap iron and other vital war materials to Japan. By choosing
this option, he hoped to slow down
their preparation for war and give America time to plan and think. Negotiations
were proposed in March 1941 as Japan felt the pressures of America's actions.
America told Japan that they would start to supply them with oil again, if Japan
stopped any expansion and with draw from Indo - China. America negotiated
because they needed to strengthen their trade links again. Japan decided not to
negotiate as their expansion for raw materials was so important. The Japanese
had to decide whether to give up slowly or give one major blow to America so
that Japan could revitalise whilst America recovered. The military, now in control
of the country, were more inclined to the last option.

Because America was not willing to negotiate or cooperate with Japan, and Japan
were in such a desperate situation, war was seen as inevitable by the Japanese
government. Japan became angered even more in September 1941 because
America rejected Japan's proposals for peace. Japan felt there was no other
option but to prepare for war.

In July, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto suggested an attack on Pearl Harbour. Pearl

Harbour was seen as a simple target by the Japanese, just as Manchuria was. It
offered itself as the perfect place to
attack. The whole of the US Naval Fleet were docked in the harbour, providing
Japan with an opportunity to cause major damage to the US warships. If war
were to break out, then it would be a naval one. Japan took the advantage and
bombed Pearl Harbour, severely weakening the American Navy. This proved
crucial as it both evened out the power between Japan and America and it also
gave Japan the opportunity to expand further whilst collecting vital supplies to
fight a war with
America and give them a fighting chance.

Japan had to attack Pearl Harbour because of their lack of raw materials. This
was the major long-term cause of the attack. This can be linked back to the
Emperor and the military influence. They were the two main influences on the
Japanese people and the Emperor himself was encouraged by militarism.
Because of the influence on the Emperor, he ordered an invasion of Manchuria
for raw materials and more power. This proved to be a medium term cause.
America failed to stop Japan
when they attacked Manchuria. This meant that the Japanese army became
stronger and militarism grew. The course was almost certainly set for war once
the military controlled Japan.

The most important medium term cause was the Wall Street Crash, which took
Japan into the Great Depression through America's misfortune. They were badly
affected by the depression because Japan relied mainly on other countries,
especially America, for imports of raw materials.
America had been hit with depression as well. They concentrated on their own

problems and failed to stop Japan from invading Manchuria.

The main short-term cause of the attack on Pearl Harbour was America's decision
to reject negotiations and peace talks from Japan about bringing down the Oil
Embargo. This angered the Japanese government; causing dangerous tension
between the two countries as Japan were in a
difficult situation and were now willing to attack the Americans. The rejections of
proposals in September 1941 led to Japan confirming the decision for war on the
26th of November. In the end Japan was driven to war by the fact that the
military had control of the country. The army thought that an attack on Pearl
Harbour would prove vital if they were to become equally as powerful as America
and have a fighting chance in the war which had seemed inevitable for a long
time.