International Programs

Two of the biggest debates emanating from World War I1 -the debate concerning President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's knowledge of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, and the debate on how much war responsibility should be placed on the Japanese Showa Emperor, Hirohito -cross roads concerning the Japanese attacks on the military installations at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7'h, 1941, and provide the basis for a very interesting examination.
This thesis compares the roles played by President Roosevelt and the Showa Emperor in the attack on Pearl Harbor. This is done, first, by examining claims that Roosevelt had foreknowledge of the attack, and withheld information from the military installations at Hawaii to insure that the attack would take place. Secondly, this thesis determines how much influence Hirohito played in the final decision to attack Pearl Harbor and begin the Asia-Pacific War, by analyzing documents gathered by the author.
After reviewing research collected on both topics, this project concludes that the conventional wisdom concerning each individual's role in the attack is erroneous. Evidence gathered by the author shows that President Franklin Roosevelt provoked Japan to attack the United States, had foreknowledge of the attack, and then covered up his actions. Also, additional evidence shows that Emperor Hirohito was not just a figurehead ruler, was actively involved in the planning and strategizing of military maneuvers, and then received cooperative protection from both the American government and the Japanese government following World War II.