(ZINN READING) Chapter 13: The Road to War: Empire, Diplomacy, and the Path to War Flashcards
(25 cards)
What were the underlying causes of the attack on Pearl Harbor?
Decades of imperial competition, economic entanglement, and diplomatic failures
Why did Japan seek imperial expansion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
It lacked essential resources like oil, rubber, and iron ore needed for its economy and military
What territory did Japan invade in 1931, and how did the world respond?
Japan invaded Manchuria, and the League of Nations only issued verbal defiance
What was the U.S. response to Japan’s invasion of Manchuria?
The Stimson Doctrine, which refused to recognize territorial acquisitions by force
What major conflict did Japan launch in 1937?
The Second Sino-Japanese War, beginning with a full-scale invasion of China
What tragic event occurred during the Second Sino-Japanese War?
The Nanjing Massacre, where more than 200,000 civilians and prisoners of war were killed
What was the U.S. stance on Japan’s aggression in China?
Intensified concern but maintained neutrality
Why did Britain, the Netherlands, and the U.S. impose an oil embargo on Japan?
Japan’s invasion of Indochina raised strategic and political concerns
How much of Japan’s oil came from the U.S. before the embargo?
About 80% of its oil supply
How did Japan view the oil embargo?
As an act of economic warfare
What was Japan’s plan to secure oil after the embargo?
Invade present-day Indonesia, which had vital oil fields
What was “Magic,” and how did it relate to the U.S. military?
A cryptographic program that decoded Japanese diplomatic messages
What did intercepted messages reveal about Japan’s intentions?
Japan was preparing for war if diplomacy failed
Why did Western leaders misinterpret Japan’s military capabilities?
Many believed Japan lacked the technological skill or boldness to launch a large-scale attack
What was Emperor Hirohito’s role in the decision to attack Pearl Harbor?
He was well-informed and hesitant but ultimately agreed the attack was necessary
How did Prime Minister Tojo view the oil embargo?
As an act of war, believing a surprise attack would break American morale
What happened on December 7, 1941?
Japanese aircrafts launched an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
What were the casualties from the Pearl Harbor attack?
2,403 Americans killed, 1,100 wounded
How much damage did Japan inflict on U.S. naval forces?
21 ships were damaged or destroyed, including 8 battleships
What critical U.S. military assets were not affected by the attack?
Aircraft carriers were not in port, and fuel storage, repair facilities, and submarine pens remained intact
What was the immediate U.S. response to Pearl Harbor?
Congress declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941
Which countries declared war on the U.S. following Pearl Harbor?
Germany and Italy
How did Japan miscalculate the consequences of the attack?
Japan hoped for a short, negotiated peace but instead provoked full U.S. military mobilization
What were the broader global consequences of the Pearl Harbor attack?
It escalated World War II into a truly global conflict
