Why the United States entered WWII

Written by David Wilson, 6BG Historian

Student Guide

The demand for oil was a major factor in bringing the United States into WW2. Japan is an island nation that doesn‘t have a lot of natural resources. After World War I, Japan had control of Tinian, Saipan, and other islands of the Northern Marianas, “white” European countries had extensive holdings in resource rich areas, and control of Guam and the Philippines belonged to the United States.

Japan’s Problem

The global depression hit Japan earlier and harder than many other countries.

Japan’s Solution

In the 1930’s, Japan invaded many Asian countries and gained access to many of the natural resources they lacked with the exception of oil which they purchased from the United States.

  • Japan had developed a racial superiority belief, superior to other Asians; they came in as conquerors and not liberators. During and after their invasions; Japan was brutal to local citizens, beating and murdering men, raping women before murdering them
  • Japan did not like the fact that Europe and the United States had a foothold in Asia and the Pacific and were harvesting the natural resources.

  • The United States and other countries in the League of Nations did not like the Japanese aggression and brutality but citizens of the United States had developed an isolationist philosophy after World War 1.

Japan’s Problem

The United States and other countries were alarmed with Japan’s expansion throughout the Pacific area. The League of Nations issued a censure to Japan for their expansionist policies in Manchuria.

Japan’s Answer

Japan withdrew from the League of Nations in February 1933, and thus began the formation of the “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” – which actually turned out to be Japan ruling Asia or “Asians ruling Asians.” Non-Asian nations had no right to the natural resources of the area.

  • Japan invaded China in 1937; the “RAPE OF NANKING” followed in which Chinese civilians were raped and massacred by the thousands.

  • In the late 1930’s, the United States began work to produce a super bomber that could fly higher, faster, longer and deliver a payload of 4,000 pounds, all greater than any bomber in the world at the time.

  • In September 1940, Japan, Italy and Germany sign the TRIPARTITE PACT, also known as the AXIS ALLIANCE.

  • In the summer of 1941, hoping to stop Japan’s aggressive and brutal behavior, and not wanting to support Japan’s invasion of China, the United States froze Japanese assets and placed an oil embargo on Japan hoping it would cause Japan to withdraw. Japan’s national pride would not allow this.

Pacific Map for 6th Bomb Group Missions

Japan’s Problem

Japan needed oil. Japan decided that they must go to war with the United States and other Allied countries.

Japan’s Solution

Colonies of the Southwest Pacific region controlled by non-Asian Nations were rich in natural resources and oil. Those areas had to be taken. Japan knew that the European countries were too busy fighting Germany to put up a strong fight.

Japan’s Problem

Once those areas were conquered, getting the oil to Japan became the problem; it had to travel thru the South China Sea past the Philippines.

Japan’s Answer

The Philippines (AMERICAN POSSESSIONS SINCE 1898, SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, TREATY OF PARIS) had to be taken and held. Once the Philippines are invaded, Japanese leaders knew that the United States would respond by sending the Pacific fleet.

  • In the mid 1930’s President Roosevelt, “FDR” moved the Pacific fleet from San Diego to Pearl Harbor in response to increased Japanese aggression. The Pacific fleet was the main threat to Japanese control of the Pacific region, the Philippines and the South China Sea lanes.

  • Japanese plans for war with the United States and developed after WWI, called for a decisive sea battle in which the Pacific fleet would be destroyed. Japan also knew that America was not ready for war and it would take a long time for America to mobilize.
Pacific Map for 6th Bomb Group Missions

Japan’s Problem

Guam and Wake Island (US possessions since 1898 and 1899 respectively) were within the areas of the Pacific controlled by the Japanese, they could be used for a stepping stone response.

Japan’s Answer

The islands of Guam and Wake Island had to be removed as springboards for a counter-attack. The defensive perimeter had to be extended.

Japan’s Problem

Japan knew the Pacific fleet would sail from Pearl Harbor to defend and retake the Philippines.

Japan’s Answer

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto decided that a surprise attack on the fleet at Pearl Harbor gave a greater chance of destroying it.

Phase One of the Japanese plan called for:

  • 1

    Destruction of the Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor.

  • 2

    Conquest of Guam, Wake Island and other Pacific Islands creating a defensive perimeter.

  • 3

    Securing the oil rich areas of Southeast Asia.

  • 4

    Invading and controlling the Philippines, opening up the South China Sea for transportation of oil and other goods to Japan.

Success in Phase One meant the Japanese could run wild in the Pacific before the Americans could rebuild their forces sufficient for a counter attack. Destroying the Pacific fleet and establishing a defensive perimeter would guarantee that it would be a long, hard and tough war for the US. Japan believed that the US was lacking the resolve for a long, hard and tough war. Although the Japanese were aware of the industrial might of the United States, they believed that the US would sue for peace rather than get into an extended war. Phase One of the plan was a tremendous success.

On the first day, December 7, 1941 (December 8 on the other side of the International dateline) Asian targets were attacked, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was a great success; much of the Pacific fleet was in ruins. On the same day, Japan also attacked Guam and Wake Island, both the Battle of Guam and the Battle of Wake Island were won, extending the defensive perimeter Japan needed. The invasion and attack of the Philippines resulting in the Battle of the Philippines began later that same day. The oil rich areas of the Dutch East Indies were attacked and secured by March 1942. On April 9, 1942, American and other allied units surrendered on Bataan. The final surrender came on May 5, 1942 when General Jonathon Wainwright ordered his communications officer, Lt. Commander Fort Hammond Callahan to send the last message from Corregidor indicating surrender of all allied forces in the Philippines. By May of 1942, all of the objectives of Phase One were met.

Prisoners of War

  • 
Not all the B-29 crews made it back safely to their home bases. As war prisoners in Japanese hands, some of the men suffered unimaginable hardships. In some cases they were executed immediately, but in others they were submitted to various forms of torture including medical experimentation, beheading, cannibalism, and even death by being burnt alive. One captured B-29 flyer was put on display at a zoo in Tokyo. It is not known exactly how many downed B-29 flyers were killed while being held prisoner, but the numbers reach into the hundreds.
  • Americans would not learn of the Bataan Death March, Hell Ships, Japanese brutality and torture for several years.
  • Allied prisoners and civilians were placed into prison and internment camps.
  • The name of General Douglas MacArthur was in newspapers daily. He would also be referred to as, “Dugout Doug,” as a reference for not showing up on the front and for leaving the Philippines in March 1942 after being ordered to do so by FDR. He would be awarded the first Medal of Honor for WWII for his defense of the Philippines.

 

“A DAY OF INFAMY” is a phrase that resonates in America even today.

On Dec 8, 1941, FDR presented the case for war in his address to Congress and the American people saying “a state of war has existed with Japan.”  The United States declared war on Japan. In return, Germany and Italy as part of the Axis, declared war on the United States with the US returning a declaration of war on Germany and Italy. Had Japan misjudged the resolve of America? Churchill and FDR met in Washington in the Arcadia Conference in Dec ’41- Jan ’42, and agreed that the defeat of Nazi Germany was first and foremost and that the United States would have to “hold on” in the Pacific until the Nazi’s could be defeated. The United States was in a two-front war in Europe and the Pacific. It was now truly a World War.