In September 1940, the U.S. placed an embargo on Japan by prohibiting exports of steel, scrap iron, and aviation fuel to Japan, due to Japan's takeover of northern French Indochina. In response, the Japanese signed a neutrality treaty with the Soviet Union to prevent any fighting with them or Britain so that they could put all their energy into taking over Southeast Asia. In June 1941, Japan forces occupied southern Indochina and in response, the Netherlands, Britain, and the U.S. cut off all exports to the Japanese, leaving them with very little steel, iron, oil, and other vital resources. In extreme anger, Japan tried many ways to find a source for oil and other minerals but couldn’t find a way. The U.S. then asked Japanese to leave Manchuria and Southeast Asia, but they refused. On December 7, 1941

Every time we are taught the events of a specific war, we, as young students, are taught of the successes and accomplishments of going to war. But we are shielded from the reality and harshness of fighting for a cause. Sometimes, we don’t even know what that cause is. All we understand is that by going to war, we gained something such as goods, peace between allied countries, or a gold medallion that goes around the neck of a brace soldier. But the one thing we don’t understand is that in order to achieve these goods, riches, and fame, we must give something up in return. And that one thing we must all sacrifice is our lives. Death takes on its devilish course in any war, including the attack on pearl Harbor, but many don’t know why and regret entering the army in the first place, especially those still trapped in the USS Arizona. Are our lives and the lives of our neighboring countries so much less important than taking over a country, or gaining some oil and steel, or being the most powerful nation in the world? War is a mistake. It is a mistake every generation must unfortunately deal with. Perfectly stated by a genius, Albert Einstein says, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

The invasion occurred on December 7, 1

Some topics in this essay:
Hiroshima Nagasaki, USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor, Southeast Asia, Netherlands Britain, Harbor September, Harbor Japanese, Pacific Fleet, Asia June, pearl harbor, Soviet Union, uss arizona, world war, japanese naval air, 1941 japan, allied countries, air forces, naval air, indochina response, southeast asia, naval air forces, december 7 1941, japanese naval,