What this lesson teaches
I can explain how leaders, governments and the League took steps that led to World War II.
Syllabus K230, War in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, Learning Outcomes. Explain the roles played by individuals and groups in developments leading to the outbreak of World War II.
I can explain the reasons World War II broke out in Europe and in the Asia-Pacific.
Syllabus K230, War in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, Learning Outcomes. Explain the reasons for the outbreak of World War II in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
Make a guess
On 7 December 1941 Japan attacked the US fleet at Pearl Harbour by surprise. Why do you think it struck there?
- To begin an invasion and occupation of the American mainland.
- To stop the US fleet blocking its advance into Southeast Asia.
- Because the USA had already declared war on Japan.
Show the answer
To stop the US fleet blocking its advance into Southeast Asia.
Japan wanted time to seize territory and set up defences. Instead, the attack brought the USA fully into the war.
Japan attacked Pearl Harbour to stop the US fleet interfering with its conquests, but it brought the USA fully into the war.
Pearl Harbour was a US naval base in Hawaii, in the Pacific Ocean. It held the Pacific Fleet, a large force of American warships. Japanese leaders expected this fleet could interfere with their planned advance into Southeast Asia. On 7 December 1941, Hawaii time, Japan attacked the base by surprise. It aimed to damage the fleet and gain time to seize territory and organise its defence.
Japan attacked other places in the region as part of the same offensive. In Malaya and elsewhere in Asia, these attacks are dated 8 December, because local time was ahead of Hawaii across the International Date Line. In fact, landings at Kota Bharu in Malaya began before Pearl Harbour, even though the local date was 8 December.
The attack caused severe losses. But the US aircraft carriers, ships that carry and launch planes, were not in the harbour. And the USA's huge factories could replace lost ships and planes. On 8 December, President Franklin Roosevelt spoke to Congress, the US law-making body, which declared war on Japan.
So Japan gained surprise and damaged many ships. But instead of removing the USA's ability to fight, it brought a powerful enemy into a long war.
- 7 December 1941
- Surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii time.
- Kota Bharu
- Landings in Malaya began before Pearl Harbour.
- 8 December 1941
- US Congress declares war on Japan.
Worked example: Aim versus result
Japan wanted to stop US interference while it advanced south.
- Aim: damage the fleet to gain time.
- Limit: the carriers were away, and US factories could build more.
- Result: the USA entered the war fully, as a powerful enemy.
Watch out for this
The USA declared war on Japan before Pearl Harbour.
The USA declared war on 8 December 1941, the day after the attack.
Check your understanding
Why did Pearl Harbour not knock the USA out of the war?
- Its carriers were away, and its factories could replace losses.
- Japan's bombs missed the ships, which sailed out to sea.
- The USA was already at war with Japan and had prepared.
Show the answer
Its carriers were away, and its factories could replace losses.
Yes. The damage was serious but not decisive.
Check your understanding
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor in December 1941?
- To begin an invasion and occupation of the mainland United States from Hawaii.
- To knock out the US Pacific Fleet so it could seize Southeast Asia's oil.
- Because the USA had declared war on Japan the week before.
Show the answer
To knock out the US Pacific Fleet so it could seize Southeast Asia's oil.
The oil embargo made time short.