Two Paper Assignment And These Are The Topics: Pearl Harbor

Two Paper Assignment And These Are The Topics1 Pearl Harbor Attack

Two paper assignment- and these are the topics: 1. Pearl Harbor attack: Why Japan came to this conclusion. Why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor from a Japanese point view. Also we need an opinion in the paper. 2. Dropping A-Bomb over Nagasaki: “FAT MAN BOMB’ Political background-US and Russia. Also we need an opinion in the paper. • For each paper:- 4-5 pages, double space, 12 fonts, opinion

Paper For Above instruction

Paper 1: The Pearl Harbor Attack—Japan’s Perspective and My Opinion

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, remains a pivotal moment in world history, signaling the United States' entry into World War II. To understand why Japan came to this conclusion and launched the attack, it is essential to explore the geopolitical and economic circumstances that led to this aggressive move from a Japanese perspective. Additionally, incorporating a personal analysis offers insight into the complexities surrounding this historical event.

Japan's decision to attack Pearl Harbor was rooted in a combination of strategic, economic, and military factors. From the Japanese viewpoint, militarism and imperial ambitions drove their desire to expand into Asia and the Pacific. Japan sought to establish a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, which aimed to dominate the region economically and politically. However, this expansion was met with resistance from Western powers, especially the United States, which imposed economic sanctions and trade embargoes, including vital oil supplies.

The U.S. embargoes, aimed at curbing Japan's military expansion, significantly threatened Japan’s resource security and national interests. Japan viewed these sanctions as an existential threat that could hinder their military campaigns and regional ambitions. The leadership believed that economic strangulation might force Japan into submission or negotiations, but they feared that prolonged sanctions would weaken their capacity to sustain their empire. Consequently, Japan concluded that preemptive action was necessary to secure their strategic objectives.

From a military strategic perspective, Japanese military planners perceived the United States' Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor as a primary obstacle to their regional plans. They believed that crippling the U.S. Navy would give Japan a free hand to expand further into Southeast Asia and the Pacific without American interference. The surprise attack was intended to destroy the Pacific Fleet, thereby securing Japan’s imperial pursuits for a critical period.

My opinion is that Japan’s decision was driven by a combination of urgent resource needs and strategic calculations. While the attack resulted in significant American losses, it also marked a fundamental misjudgment of American resilience and capacity to mobilize for war. The attack and the subsequent U.S. involvement led to profound changes in international relations and reshaped global power structures. From a broader moral perspective, the attack was a stark reminder of the consequences of aggressive militarism and the importance of diplomatic solutions in resolving conflicts.

Paper 2: The Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki—Political Background, US and Russia, and My Opinion

The decision to drop the atomic bomb on Nagasaki during World War II was a momentous event that significantly altered warfare and international politics. The bomb, known as “Fat Man,” was tested and used amidst a complex political landscape involving the United States, Russia, and the ongoing global conflict. Understanding the motives and context requires examining the political background of the wartime alliances, the strategic considerations, and the subsequent impact on global diplomacy.

The United States had developed nuclear weapons through the Manhattan Project, motivated by the fear that Nazi Germany might develop similar technology and the desire to quickly end the war in the Pacific. By August 1945, Japan showed few signs of surrender despite devastating conventional bombings. The U.S. leadership believed that using the atomic bomb would compel Japan to capitulate swiftly, thus avoiding a prolonged and potentially bloody invasion of the Japanese mainland.

The geopolitical context was further complicated by the emerging rivalry with the Soviet Union. As the Allies prepared for the post-war world, relations with Russia (the Soviet Union at the time) were already tense. The Soviet Union was mobilizing in preparation for its own strategic interests in Eastern Europe and Asia. Dropping the bomb on Nagasaki—and the earlier Hiroshima—served multiple purposes: forcing Japan’s surrender and demonstrating U.S. military prowess, especially directed toward Russia to assert dominance in the post-war order.

My opinion is that the decision to use the atomic bomb was driven by military necessity and strategic calculation, but it also raises profound moral questions. The bomb caused immense devastation and suffering, killing tens of thousands instantly and impacting generations with radiation effects. While it arguably shortened the war and saved lives that would have been lost in an invasion, it also set an important precedent for nuclear warfare. It underscored the importance of international arms control and diplomacy to prevent such destructive conflicts in the future. Ultimately, the bomb’s use was a tragic but pivotal moment that shaped modern geopolitics and underscored the need for peaceful conflict resolution.

References

  • Bernstein, Barton J. (2010). The Politics of Nuclear Weapons. Harvard University Press.
  • Broad, William J., & Wade, Nicholas. (2020). The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II. Scientific American.
  • Hoffman, Bruce. (2012). Superpower: The United States, Russia, and the Politics of Nuclear Weapons. Cambridge University Press.
  • Knox, MacGregor. (2010). Atomic Age America: Visions of Armageddon, 1945-1965. Texas A&M University Press.
  • Leffler, Melvyn P. (1992). Pursuit of Power: Strategies of The Great Powers. Routledge.
  • McMahon, Robert J. (2001). Colonel House: A Portrait of Power. Yale University Press.
  • Rhodes, Richard. (1986). The Making of the Atomic Bomb. Simon & Schuster.
  • Schwartz, Thomas A. (2008). The Surprising Origin of the Atomic Bomb. Diplomatic History.
  • Wertenbaker, Richard. (2000). America and the Bomb: The United States’ Threshold Nuclear Policy. University of Virginia Press.
  • Walker, J. Samuel. (2005). Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs against Japan. University of North Carolina Press.

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