 Japan declares war on China in 1937  Japan believed that by expanding into China’s import market and overtaking it they could solve their economic and demographic dilemma.  America had important political and economic interests in South Asia at the time Japan declared war on China.  America responded to Japan’s declaration by imposing trade embargoes and economic sanctions in the hope that without money and goods Japan would cease its attempts at expansion.

 In September of 1940 an embargo was placed on Japan by the U.S. prohibiting exports of steel, scrap iron and aviation fuel.  These embargoes had the opposite effect on Japan rather they became more determined to expand  Negotiations between America and Japan seemed futile as neither country would budge on their resolve.

 Initial plan to destroy U.S. Navy in Hawaii and demoralize the American people was devised by Admiral Yamamoto sometime between January and March of  Admiral Nomura remained in U.S. continuing to seek a diplomatic solution between America and Japan.  Japan hoped America would agree to its southern expansion but if negotiations were unsuccessful they would go to war.  On November 16 th the first unit of attack which consisted of submarines departed Japan  On November 26 th the main body of attack which consisted of aircraft carriers and escort began transit to Hawaii

 Sunday 12/07/41 7:50 am Japanese Air-attack Commander Mitsuo Fuchida orders his forces to initiate attack on Pearl Harbor.  They first strike the U.S. Army Air Force bases of Wheeler Field and Hickam Field  At around 8:10am the first wave of attack descends on the ships docked in Pearl Harbor

 Japan’s first wave of attack lasts approximately 1 hour and consisted of 49 high- altitude bombers, 51 dive-bombers, 40 torpedo planes, 43 fighters.  The second wave consisted of 35 fighters, 78 dive-bombers, and 54 high-altitude bombers.  The second wave of Japanese forces were met with heavy antiaircraft from the remaining U.S. forces.

 There was a total of 2,403 military and civilian killed during the assault  And a total of 1,178 military and civilians wounded  350 Aircraft were destroyed of damaged  All Aircraft Carriers remained intact as each had been sent out of Pearl Harbor only days before the attack.  21 Battleships were sunk or damaged  All but 3 Battleships (USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah) were raised and repaired

 At 12:30pm on December 8, 1941 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt enters the chamber of the House of Representatives.  He is met with thunderous applause from both Democratic and Republican representatives signifying our nations unity.  The President’s speech requests Congress declare a state of war on Japan in light of Japan’s deceit and preconceived act of war.

 At 1:00pm the Senate is unanimous in their decision to declare war on Japan.  At 1:10pm the House of Representatives pass the declaration of war with a vote of 388 to 1.

 The U.S. with assistance from Great Britain and Canada developed the developed the Atomic Bombs under the codename Manhattan Project  The first A Bomb was named “Gadget” and was tested near Alamogordo, New Mexico on July 16,1945  The intention behind the bombs was to bring about and end to the war and discourage further destruction. Manhattan Project Physicists Atomic Bomb Atomic Bomb Test

 The city of Hiroshima was significant to both Japanese industry and military.  It was a communications center, storage point and assembly area for Japanese troops.  At the time of attack Hiroshima had a population of about 255,000 citizens.  Those who survived the initial explosion were subjected to radiation poisoning and eventually succumbed to death.  By the end of 1945 the death toll reached approximately 90,000.  In 1996 the ruins were named the Hiroshima Peace Memorial

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