Websites I used:
1. Wise Geek
This is a credible website because it is a ".org", which is a non-profit, and the hyperlinks on the site work. There's also a copyright date 2003 - 2014.
2. History Channel
This website is a respected site that takes an honest look at questions based on historical evidence. This site has an author, the date of when the article was written, and the hyperlink works, making this another credible website.
3. Pearl Harbor Oahu
Though it's a .com, it has a lot of information and historical evidence. This site has hyperlinks that works, a copyright date, and has references.
What I found:
In website #1, it says that the United States increased military and financial aid to the Chinese and cut of exports of oil and other materials to Japan. The Japanese viewed this as a threat to their national security and decided to seize and conquer the Pacific and Asian territories that had the natural resources that they needed. "Both the American and Japanese governments had taken strong diplomatic positions in regards to each other that would not allow "backing down" without some sort of national humiliation and embarrassment" (Website #1). This shows that neither governments wanted to back out unless there's a reason to it. While both were continuing to negotiate to find a peace solution to the diplomatic dilemma, the Japanese believed that the war with the U.S. was necessary and began to prepare. Japan decided that the only way to defeat the U.S. was to destroy their Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor with a strong and heavy blow. The Japanese also believed that a decisive victory would demoralize and eliminate the will of the American people to engage in war with Japan.
In website #2, it talks about more about in details why the attack happened. The Japanese finding ways to solve its economic and demographic problems. Since the United States was unhappy with Japan's hostile attitude towards China. The Japanese wanted to expand its neighbors' territory and take over its import market; to this end, Japan declared war on China in 1937. The Americans responded to this aggression with a battery of economic sanctions and trade embargoes. The Americans wanted cut access to money and goods, and especially essential supplies like oil, so that Japan would have to rein in its area. This made the Japanese more determined to stand their ground, and during the months of negotiations with both sides, none would budge. As said in the article, "But no one believed that the Japanese would start that war with an attack on American territory. For one thing, it would be terribly inconvenient: Hawaii and Japan were about 4,000 miles apart" (Website #2). The Japanese knew that almost entire Pacific Fleet was around Ford Island in the harbor; to the Japanese, Pearl Harbor was an irresistible target.
In website #2, it talks about more about in details why the attack happened. The Japanese finding ways to solve its economic and demographic problems. Since the United States was unhappy with Japan's hostile attitude towards China. The Japanese wanted to expand its neighbors' territory and take over its import market; to this end, Japan declared war on China in 1937. The Americans responded to this aggression with a battery of economic sanctions and trade embargoes. The Americans wanted cut access to money and goods, and especially essential supplies like oil, so that Japan would have to rein in its area. This made the Japanese more determined to stand their ground, and during the months of negotiations with both sides, none would budge. As said in the article, "But no one believed that the Japanese would start that war with an attack on American territory. For one thing, it would be terribly inconvenient: Hawaii and Japan were about 4,000 miles apart" (Website #2). The Japanese knew that almost entire Pacific Fleet was around Ford Island in the harbor; to the Japanese, Pearl Harbor was an irresistible target.
The single vote against Congress's declaration of war against Japan came from Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana. Rankin was a pacifist who had also voted against the American entrance into World War I. "As a woman," she said, "I can’t go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else."
In website #3, the article talks about what happened during the attack. The Japanese arrived over Pearl Harbor at approximately 7:45 a.m. They found seven U.S. battleships moored on the east side of Ford Island. Another battleship was in dry dock in Navy Yard. The Japanese initially hit the airfields, destroying many of the air-crafts located on the southern tip. This attacked is followed by the dispatch of communications was the the world's first notification that the war had begun. Moments after, torpedo planes started hitting all on the west side of the Island and soon to the east. As the torpedo continued, the first attacks were bombs dropping on "Battleship Row", hitting several ships. The USS Arizona received a death blow followed by a huge explosion. The second wave of planes further attacked some of the ships that were already hit and bombed other battleships. Fortunately, neither wave had the opportunity to hit the American aircraft carriers, all of which were out at sea. Fuel storage tanks, maintenance areas and most destroyers and submarines were not targeted. However, "in less than two hours the Japanese had ruined the U.S. Pacific Fleet's battleship force, ensuring the US would not interfere with further plans for conquest"(Website #2). This explained that the Japanese had planned this carefully to destroy the Fleet in less than two hours. They also knew what they were doing to ensure that the Americans will not interfere anymore.
"Tora! Tora! Tora!" - Japanese code words signal that surprise is complete.