Pearl Harbor, United States naval base in Hawaii, was attacked by Imperial Japanese Navy on 7th December 1941, what was tantamount to Japan declaring war on US. There is surely variety of possible reasons for this action and it is a topic of debate among historians.
Firstly, after Japan seized Indo-China, United States decided to impose economic embargo on Japan. This would certainly prove disastrous to Japan as they would not be able to sustain war with China. On that account, after failed negotiations, as Source D points out, Japan had no other choice but to act to gain “vital oil and raw materials together with space” (Source B), by conquering colonies. Indeed, as given in Source C, Japan seized Dutch East Indies for access to the oil needed to cope with American power.
Historian Michiko Hasegawa went as far as to say that the oil embargo forced Japan into war and Kevin Boyle considers Roosevelt’s actions to provoke the Japanese attack. …show more content…
Some right-wing historians support the idea that Japan was freeing Asian colonies from western corruption. There is also a belief of the “Holy War” that started in 1853 with the arrival of Matthew Perry in Japan and is called 100-year struggle with the West. In fact, in 1941 Japan inaugurated “Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” promoting the “Asia for Asians” view, but it was actually a way to win domination in Asia. Hence, as Source C highlights, US embarking navy program that would result in America’s gaining supremacy in the Pacific, seems to be an important factor of Japan conquest
Firstly, after Japan seized Indo-China, United States decided to impose economic embargo on Japan. This would certainly prove disastrous to Japan as they would not be able to sustain war with China. On that account, after failed negotiations, as Source D points out, Japan had no other choice but to act to gain “vital oil and raw materials together with space” (Source B), by conquering colonies. Indeed, as given in Source C, Japan seized Dutch East Indies for access to the oil needed to cope with American power.
Historian Michiko Hasegawa went as far as to say that the oil embargo forced Japan into war and Kevin Boyle considers Roosevelt’s actions to provoke the Japanese attack. …show more content…
Some right-wing historians support the idea that Japan was freeing Asian colonies from western corruption. There is also a belief of the “Holy War” that started in 1853 with the arrival of Matthew Perry in Japan and is called 100-year struggle with the West. In fact, in 1941 Japan inaugurated “Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” promoting the “Asia for Asians” view, but it was actually a way to win domination in Asia. Hence, as Source C highlights, US embarking navy program that would result in America’s gaining supremacy in the Pacific, seems to be an important factor of Japan conquest