Sample Middle School DBQ Essays
Mr.Wager 6th
May 16, 2016 Why does the United States get involved in everything around the world? Here’s why! Before Japanese aircrafts attacked Pearl Harbor on Sunday December 7th 1941, the United States was an isolationist nation. During WWII the United States was fighting two fronts against Japan and Nazi Germany. The amount of Japanese aircrafts surrounding Pearl Harbor on December 7th, was over 350. Because of this the world would never be the same! Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? Why were the American’s Sunday morning ruined? Japan attacked Pearl Harbor for 3 reasons: Japan had a plan for a new world order, the U.S. Oil embargo, and the U.S. fleet expansion. One reason Japan attacked Pearl Harbor is because they had a plan for a new world order. On August 1st 1941, the Japanese ministry of education released a document to most high schools and colleges in Japan. The document suggests that “The ideals of Japan are represented by the principle that the benevolent rule of the emperor may be extended so as to the embrace the whole world.” That means that the Japanese government is telling their younger generations that their leader is above all others, and that it is their turn to rule the whole world. In Boston 1999, Akira Iriye stated in her book Pearl Harbor and the coming of the pacific war that “in 1928, Japan declares its policy to establish a new order in East Asia, and in 1941 Japan attacks the U.S. at Pearl Harbor.” Also Maps that show Japans territory’s after the attacks shows that “Japan had already claimed most of South East Asia and the Netherlands East Indies.” This information indicates that Japan was trying to make a new world order, and they were succeeding. Clearly Japan’s plan for a new world order led to the attack, but America also stood in the way of this plan. A second reason Japan attacked Pearl Harbor was because of the U.S. oil embargo. In 1999, Chronology adaptions from Akira Iriye's book Pearl Harbor and the coming of the pacific war state that "in 1939, the U.S. places a aircraft embargo on Japan." This means that the U.S. did not like what Japan was doing to Southeast Asia, and they were finally doing something about it. Before the embargo the U.S. was fueling the war and helping Japan become more powerful. In April 1986, adaptions from Suzuki Akira's book U.S. economic sanctions against Japan and its aid to china during the scinco-Japanese war states that "In 1937, the U.S. was providing over half of all resources Japan was receiving. In 1941 the resources provided by the U.S. was reduced to close to none. This shows that before the embargo almost all resources were provided by the U.S. but, after the embargo we no longer provided resources and that is why Japan was angry at the U.S and they had every right to be angry. It is understandable that the U.S. placed an embargo that made Japan Angry, but how will Japan feel about the U.S. expanding its fleet? The final reason Japan attacked Pearl Harbor was because the U.S. navy movement and fleet expansion. Chronology adaptions from Akira Iriye's book Pearl Harbor and the coming of the pacific war suggests that "In may 1940 President Roosevelt moves U.S. Pacific fleet from California to Pearl Harbor and in July 1940 U.S. Congress passes Naval Expansion Act. Promises to triple fleet size by 1944." This information means that when the U.S. expanded its fleet, Japan was quick to attack the U.S. with only five months apart from the fleet expansion. It is evident that they were upset with the U.S so Japan quickly decided to take action. Hideki Tojo, comments at imperial conference, November 5th ,1941"When I think about the strengthening of the American defenses in the Southwest Pacific, the Expansion of the American fleet, . . . I see no end to difficulties . . . I fear that we would become a third class nation after two or three years if we just sat tight." This means that the Japanese felt threatened by the U.S. so the Japanese's mindset was, if they didn't attack, then their economy would sink and their rein would end. It is adequate to say that the U.S. was very powerful and expanding their fleet only increased their power. So Japan attacking the U.S. based on these facts is requisite. Japan decided to attack Pearl Harbor because America stood in the way of their new world order by placing embargos on oil and expanding their navy. America stood in the way of Japan's new world order because the U.S. was the old order, and Japan desired for the role the U.S. fulfilled. Japan attacked the U.S. for placing oil embargos because, without the U.S. providing the resources Japan could not concur the world and become the new order because in order to become the new order Japan needs resources to do so. Japan attacked the U.S. for expanding their navy because, the U.S. expanding their navy caused problems for Japan being that Japan also needed to expand their navy in order to compete with the U.S., because if Japan did not expand then they would have no chance of winning the war. Japans plan may have worked initially, but considering Americas response, it may have not been the best idea. |
Global Studies
Period 2 Innocent people were under attack in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japanese planes and submarines planned a sneak attack on the U.S at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. When President Roosevelt declared war on Japan it marked the beginning of America’s World War II. Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor? Japan Attacked Pearl Harbor for three reasons: A plan for a new world order, U.S oil embargo, and the U.S fleet expansion. One reason Japan attacked Pearl Harbor is because they had a plan for a new world order. According to document “A” Japan wanted to be the leader of the world, “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.” In document “B” it states, that Japan is more interested in seizing all oil fields and in order to do that they had to invade the “Netherland East Indies” which they did “after the Pearl Harbor Bombing.” In document “C” it shows, “In 1938 Japan Declares its policy to establish a “New Order” in East Asia.” A “New Order is an idea that Japan will rule the entire world. According to document “C” it states, “December 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.” Japan did this because we moved our Navy & cut off resources. Clearly, Japan’s plan for a new world order led to the attack, but America also stood still in the way of this plan. A second reason Japan Attacked Pearl Harbor was because of the U.S embargo on oil. According to document “C”, in 1941 of August “The United States imposes and embargo on oil shipment to Japan.” Leaving a result of Japan attacking the U.S. In document “D” it states, “The United States stopped all trade of oil, steel, and scrap iron with Japan on August 1, 1941.” About 80% of Japan’s oil came from the United States. According to document “E’ it states, “The United States has not conceded a sing point; it simply makes strong demands on Japan.” In document “E” it states, “We sent a large force of one million men to China, and it has costs us over 100,000 dead and wounded…” This shows how Japan lost most of their Navy population because there determination to gain oil. Clearly, Japan is trying everything in their power to get oil from the U.S or other countries, this leads to the U.S expansions. A final reason Japan attacked Pearl Harbor was because of the U.S Navy’s movement and fleet. In document “C” it states, “In 1940 of July, U.S congress passes Naval Expansion Act. To triple fleet size by 1944.” This shows how the U.S promises Japan but then doesn’t fulfill it. Also in document “C’ it shows in August of 1941, “The United states imposes and embargo on oil shipments to Japan.” This shows how the U.S is stopping trade with Japan. Document “E’ states, “What they insist upon is Japan’s acceptance of the principle of withdraw to troops…” This means Japan has inverted several billion of navy and families have sacrificed for the cause. Also in document “E” it states, “We can expect an expansion of our country only by stationing troops.” This is showing now the country of Japan is planning, to increase its Navy population. In conclusion Japan attacked Pearl Harbor for many reasons, Japan wanted justice from the U.S and were determined to get it. Japan decided to attack Pearl Harbor because America stood in the way of their new world order by, expanding the navy and stopping embargoes on oil. Japan clearly had a plan for a new world order, and seemed willing to do whatever it takes to execute the plan. Japan wanted the most amount of oil they could receive from the U.S and they were determined to get that oil. Pearl Harbor was the new location of the U.S Navy and Japan attacked the U.S Navy for their movement of fleet. Japan plan may have worked initially, but considering America’s response, it may have not been the best idea. |