How did the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 turn the tide against the Japanese during World War 2?
Michaella Grove
Grade 9.1
Introduction:
The Second World War was fought between alliances. The Axis Powers were formed by Germany, Italy and Japan. The Allied Powers were formed by France, led by Britain and only after Pearl Harbour in 1491, joined by America. WW2 took place due to Hitler’s refusal to comply with the terms set by the Treaty of Versailles; more specifically, Hitler invaded Poland and Britain and France were honour bound to protect her. WW2 bought about major leaps in technology (source D) and many more revolutionary ideals and ideas. It was one by the Allies. A turning point in this war, as well as a major contributor to the allied win was the entrance of the U.S into the war on the allied side. The U.S joined the war because of the Japanese attack on the American naval fleet anchored at Hawaii, Pearl harbour. This was a turning point in both aspects. Japan did buy themselves the time and space they needed to invade South-East Asia, but they also ‘Awoke a sleeping giant’ (source F) and gave America the perfect opportunity to enter the war, which would result in Japans eventual downfall.
Why was the attack planned? Japan was hit hard by the Great Depression in the early 1930’s (source B), they were also extremely dependant on America for resources. …show more content…
However, America was watchful of Japanese aggression and slowly withdrew themselves from trade with Japan. After Japan formally joined the axis alliance, it was clear that American sympathy lay with the allies. Japan needed a permanent alternative (source B). They needed a mechanism (source B). They found that mechanism in the attack on Pearl Harbour. The attack was planned in the hopes too buy them the time and space needed to invade South-East Asia, without too much interference from America, it did. The Japanese also thought that after the devastation of the assault, America would sue for peace, they did not. What planning went into the attack by the attacking powers? The Japanese fleet was to take a circuitous route towards Pearl Harbour on the 26th of November from their home waters (source L). The battle group took up its position on the 7th of December, 275 miles North of Hawaii (source L). Japan focused their attention solely on the destruction of the naval fleet, completely ignoring the onshore resources. This was a major flaw in Japans planning, as it gave America the means not only to recover, but to fight back. Description of the attack: The attack consisted of two waves. It all took place on the 7th of December 1941, early on a Sunday Morning. On this day Japanese aircraft began their deadly on the U.S Pacific Fleet, moored at Pearl Harbour on the Pacific island of Oahu (source B). Enemy fire rained down onto the U.S naval fleet. USS Arizona was the first to be hit, a 1,800-pound bomb smashing through the deck of the ship (source F) more than 1,000 men went down with her. The USS Oklahoma was next, torpedoes pierced her shell, and she slipped beneath the ocean’s surface (source F). Every battleship moored in the harbour that day (USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West-Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS Nevada) had been severely damaged (source F). The following extract taken from source L describes the moment of the first bomb being dropped, as well as the moments after. ‘The attack was opened with the first bomb falling on Wheeler Field, followed shortly by dive-bombing attacks upon Hickham Field, and the bases at Ford Island. Fearful that the smoke from these attacks might obscure his targets, Lieutenant Commander Murata cut his groups approach toward the battleships anchored east of Ford Island and released torpedoes. A series of white waterspouts rose in the harbour.’ 188 Aircraft were destroyed at Pearl Harbour, under 100 Japanese were killed but over 2,400 American lives were lost and another 1,178 injured (source B). It became known as ‘A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.’ (Source
Michaella Grove
Grade 9.1
Introduction:
The Second World War was fought between alliances. The Axis Powers were formed by Germany, Italy and Japan. The Allied Powers were formed by France, led by Britain and only after Pearl Harbour in 1491, joined by America. WW2 took place due to Hitler’s refusal to comply with the terms set by the Treaty of Versailles; more specifically, Hitler invaded Poland and Britain and France were honour bound to protect her. WW2 bought about major leaps in technology (source D) and many more revolutionary ideals and ideas. It was one by the Allies. A turning point in this war, as well as a major contributor to the allied win was the entrance of the U.S into the war on the allied side. The U.S joined the war because of the Japanese attack on the American naval fleet anchored at Hawaii, Pearl harbour. This was a turning point in both aspects. Japan did buy themselves the time and space they needed to invade South-East Asia, but they also ‘Awoke a sleeping giant’ (source F) and gave America the perfect opportunity to enter the war, which would result in Japans eventual downfall.
Why was the attack planned? Japan was hit hard by the Great Depression in the early 1930’s (source B), they were also extremely dependant on America for resources. …show more content…
However, America was watchful of Japanese aggression and slowly withdrew themselves from trade with Japan. After Japan formally joined the axis alliance, it was clear that American sympathy lay with the allies. Japan needed a permanent alternative (source B). They needed a mechanism (source B). They found that mechanism in the attack on Pearl Harbour. The attack was planned in the hopes too buy them the time and space needed to invade South-East Asia, without too much interference from America, it did. The Japanese also thought that after the devastation of the assault, America would sue for peace, they did not. What planning went into the attack by the attacking powers? The Japanese fleet was to take a circuitous route towards Pearl Harbour on the 26th of November from their home waters (source L). The battle group took up its position on the 7th of December, 275 miles North of Hawaii (source L). Japan focused their attention solely on the destruction of the naval fleet, completely ignoring the onshore resources. This was a major flaw in Japans planning, as it gave America the means not only to recover, but to fight back. Description of the attack: The attack consisted of two waves. It all took place on the 7th of December 1941, early on a Sunday Morning. On this day Japanese aircraft began their deadly on the U.S Pacific Fleet, moored at Pearl Harbour on the Pacific island of Oahu (source B). Enemy fire rained down onto the U.S naval fleet. USS Arizona was the first to be hit, a 1,800-pound bomb smashing through the deck of the ship (source F) more than 1,000 men went down with her. The USS Oklahoma was next, torpedoes pierced her shell, and she slipped beneath the ocean’s surface (source F). Every battleship moored in the harbour that day (USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West-Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS Nevada) had been severely damaged (source F). The following extract taken from source L describes the moment of the first bomb being dropped, as well as the moments after. ‘The attack was opened with the first bomb falling on Wheeler Field, followed shortly by dive-bombing attacks upon Hickham Field, and the bases at Ford Island. Fearful that the smoke from these attacks might obscure his targets, Lieutenant Commander Murata cut his groups approach toward the battleships anchored east of Ford Island and released torpedoes. A series of white waterspouts rose in the harbour.’ 188 Aircraft were destroyed at Pearl Harbour, under 100 Japanese were killed but over 2,400 American lives were lost and another 1,178 injured (source B). It became known as ‘A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.’ (Source