Aircraft Carriers

         The years leading up to World War II in Japan were filled with imperialism and war. Japan, an expanding and industrializing nation, was hungry for resources and was willing to go to war for them. Japan’s government had been overthrown by military leader in a coup in the early 1930’s, and had been becoming increasingly militaristic ever since. (1) The developing nation was making breakthroughs in its naval capabilities, especially its aircraft carriers. Japan was no longer afraid of the large world powers, and was conquesting various parts of Asia. Leading up to the War Japan took control of Manchuria and French Indochina. Japan also raided cities such as Nanjing. Just before the Attack on Pearl Harbor Japan had the world's third Largest Navy. (2)

         Within that navy Japan controlled ten aircraft carriers, the most of any nation in the beginning of the war. (3) Not only did Japan dominate numerically, but also in technologically. The Carriers in Japan’s possession were some of the most advanced in the world. Japan heavily depended on their aircraft carrier in their tactics to domintate the Pacific. Many of the small islands they wished to occupy did not have runways built on them, and needed aircraft carriers nearby to keep an airial presence while the runways were built.

         Japan was ready for a war against the United States, and had the navy to win it. The United States would have some catching up to do with their navy if they wanted to win the war, escpecially with the devolpment of their aircraft carrier program. The aircraft carrier was posied to make a dominate presence in the fighting in the Pacific, and would make its debut in Pearl Harbor.