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Japan Takes Control of French Indochina
Japan took control of French Indochina to gain more resources for their war effort. This moves increased tensions with the U.S. and led to the oil embargo
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8DRluQnsOes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_invasion_of_French_Indochina -
U.S. Imposes Oil Embargo on Japan
The U.S. responded to Japan’s expansion in the Pacific by freezing Japanese assets and cutting off exports of oil and other materials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROfD6tQa-Oo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prelude_to_the_attack_on_Pearl_Harbor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROfD6tQa-Oo -
Japanese Fleet Departs
A large Japanese strike force secretly left for Hawaii, planning a surprise attack. They avoided regular shipping routes to stay undetected https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japanese-task-force-leaves-for-pearl-harbor https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwii/wwii-pacific/us-entry-into-wwii-japanese-offensive/1941-december-7-japanese-attack-on-pearl-harbor/japanese-pearl-harbor-striking-force/japanese-forces-in-the-attack.html -
First Wave of Attack Begins (7:48 AM)
183 Japanese planes arrived over Pearl Harbor, targeting U.S. battleships and airfields. The attack caught the U.S. completely by surprise. -
USS Arizona Explodes (8:10 AM)
A bomb hit the ammunition magazine of the USS Arizona, causing a massive explosion. The ship sank in minutes, killing over 1,100 sailors. -
USS Oklahoma Over Turned
Multiple torpedoes hit the USS Oklahoma, causing it to roll over. Hundreds of sailors were trapped inside as the ship sank. -
Second Wave of Attack Begins
171 more Japanese planes attacked ships and shipyards. The U.S. started fighting back, but the damage was already severe -
Airfields Are Destroyed
Japanese bombers destroyed U.S. air bases, preventing American planes from taking off. This ensured Japan’s dominance in the skies during the attack -
American Defenses Respond
Some U.S. troops fought back with anti-aircraft guns, shooting down a few enemy planes. However, the attack was too overwhelming to stop -
USS West Virginia and USS California Are Sunk
Both battleships were heavily damaged by bombs and torpedoes. They sank in the harbor. -
The End of The Attack
After nearly two hours, Japanese planes finished their attack. The U.S. fleet was left in ruins, with over 2,400 Americans dead. -
Pearl Harbor Burns
Smoke and fire covered the harbor as damaged ships and buildings continued to burn. Rescue teams searched for survivors among the wreckage -
Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” Speech
President Franklin D. Roosevelt called December 7 “a date which will live in infamy.” His speech rallied the nation to go to war against Japan. -
U.S. Declares War on Japan
Congress approved Roosevelt’s request to declare war on Japan. This officially brought the U.S. into World War II. -
Germany and Italy Declare War on the U.S.
As Japan’s allies, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. In response, the U.S. declared war on them, joining the global conflict.