Pearl Harbor/US Joins WW2

Pearl Harbor/US Joins WW2

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Prelude to war

In the late 1930s, U.S. foreign policy in the Pacific relied on supporting China, meaning Japan's aggression would lead to conflict with the U.S. By 1931, Japan controlled Manchuria, solidifying its hold with Manchukuo in 1932. The clash at Marco Polo Bridge on July 7, 1937, marked the start of open warfare between Japan and Chinese forces. In response, the U.S. extended its first loan to China in 1938.

In July 1939, the U.S. ended the 1911 Treaty with Japan. Starting in summer 1940, the U.S. restricted exports to Japan for war. From June 1940 to December 1941, tensions rose. By July 1941, after Japan occupied Indochina and allied with the Axis, the U.S. cut all ties with Japan, freezing assets and declaring an embargo on vital materials. Negotiations continued through autumn 1941, but by late November, it was clear no agreement was possible.

Japan negotiated with the U.S. until the Pearl Harbor attack, but Prime Minister Tōjō Hideki chose war. Adm. Yamamoto planned the attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet to conquer Southeast Asia. The assault order was given on November 5, 1941.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet was at Pearl Harbor since April 1940 with nearly 100 vessels, including 8 battleships. As tensions rose, Adm. Kimmel and Gen. Short received a war warning stating, “This dispatch is a war warning,” noting that negotiations had ceased. Kimmel was directed to execute a defensive deployment and undertake reconnaissance. Short was warned that hostile action was possible at any moment and urged to take reconnaissance measures.

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Adm. Husband Edward Kimmel

Yamamoto Isoroku, commander in chief of Japan's Combined Fleet during World War II.

Pacific War: Japanese-controlled areas of ChinaThe Japanese seized Manchuria in 1931 and occupied much of the coast and North China Plain by 1941.