Pearl Harbour

And its impact upon Canadians

Prologue

During World War 2, many of the battles that occurred affected us as Canadians.One of the most significant attacks was the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

Although it did not occur on Canadian soil, the impact it had on us was devastating.

The Attack

On December 7th, 1941 at 6:00 a.m, the Japanese military launched an aerial attack on the US Navel Headquarters at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii.

At 7:15 a.m, on the same day, a second wave was unleashed.

These attacks followed Hitler’s blitzkrieg tactics. Swift and effective victory.

Attack Plan

Warnings

With new radar technology, the Japanese planes were detected before theattack. However, the American’s assumed them to be a flight of their own B-17sreturning from the west.

Washington sent Pearl Harbour a warning on the attack, however, it arrived too late.

Why it Happened

In 1940, the US stopped exporting iron, steel and other materials thatmight help with Japanese expansion. This was their attempt to stop Japan, but not get involved with the war.

In time, Britain and the Netherlands also refused to trade with Japan, effectivelycrippling their military.

Seeing the Americans as a threat, the Japanese began plans to remove them from the Pacific Ocean, allowing them to conquer surrounding countries with little effort.

Importance to the War

They only entered when the attacks became personal, similar to WW1.

The American’s originally wanted to remain out of the war.

Canadians

The attack may not have occurred on Canadian land, but it affected us nonetheless.

Once again, the fear of enemy aliens plagued our war-torn country.

Japanese-Canadians

In 1941, there were over 23 000 Japanese-Canadians living in Canada. 22 000lived in British Columbia.

Over half were Canadian born, but of Japanese decent.

Discrimination

After the Attack on Pearl Harbour, the Canadian government feared thatthe Japanese living in Canada would provide inside information to their eastern enemy.

In 1942, the government ordered all people of Japanese decent to relocate inlandto one of ten internment camps.

Men between the ages of 18 and 45 were sent to work camps or beet farms.

The Problems Continue…

In 1943, Custodian of Enemy Property (federal government official) was given the power to sell and confiscate Japanese-Canadian property.

The original owners were given almost nothing for the property that was soldat an extremely low and unfair price.

Post-War

After Japan surrendered in 1945, the Japanese living in Canada were given one of two options: They could relocate east of the Rocky Mountains or be immediatelydeported back to Japan.

Almost all relocated to the east.

Apology

In 1988, the province of British Columbia formally apologized for the discrimination the any person of Japanese decent faced during the secondWorld War.

The apology was delivered by Naomi Yamamoto, the first Canadian of Japanese decent elected to the BC legislature.

The Reality of it all

The End

http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/249620/the-bombing-of-pearl-harbor-1941/

By: Laura, Rebecca and Riddhi