Pearl Harbor and the US Empire

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was not an isolated event, but part of a coordinated Japanese offensive across the Pacific. This broader campaign included attacks on US territories like the Philippines, Wake Island, Guam, and Midway, as well as British colonies in Southeast Asia.

On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces assaulted US and British holdings across the Pacific, marking a significant shift in the global power dynamics.

While the attack on Pearl Harbor is widely recognized, the simultaneous assaults on other territories like the Philippines received less attention in the historical narrative.

Unlike Pearl Harbor, which was a single strike, the Japanese invasion of the Philippines was a protracted conflict, culminating in the occupation of the islands and the subjugation of the Filipino people.

The attack on Pearl Harbor had a significant impact on US territories in the Pacific, especially the Philippines, leading to the occupation of the islands by Japanese forces.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt initially included references to attacks on the Philippines in his speech about Pearl Harbour, but later chose to downplay the severity of the Philippines' situation.

The Philippines' experience during World War II, marked by Japanese occupation, has received relatively less historical attention compared to Pearl Harbor.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was strategically crucial for the Japanese as it allowed them to seize control of key Pacific territories, including the Philippines, establishing a foothold in the region.

A map that only shows the contiguous United States, ignoring its territories and overseas military bases.

The act of unconsciously excluding or ignoring a significant part of a country's history and territories due to a perception of it as non-essential or irrelevant.

The tendency of the US to downplay or ignore its imperial history despite its long involvement in overseas territories and military bases.

The idea that the US is fundamentally a republic and not an empire, despite its historical and present involvement in colonialism and overseas military bases.

Regions under the control of a powerful nation, often with a different culture and history, and often subject to colonization and exploitation.

Military installations located in foreign countries, used to project power and influence.

The economic, political, and social consequences experienced by those residing in US overseas territories and around its military bases, including exploitation and marginalization.

The impact on the US mainland by ignoring its foreign territories and military bases, leading to a limited understanding of its own history and a distorted view of its national identity.

The contribution of US overseas territories to events like wars, inventions, and the shaping of American identity, often overlooked due to the focus on the mainland.

A comprehensive understanding of the US that includes not just its mainland but also its overseas territories, military bases, and colonial history, providing a more complete view of its past and present.

The idea that the United States is a contiguous landmass, bounded by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Mexico, and Canada, excluding territories like Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

The Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii were seen as less 'American' than the mainland United States, particularly during World War II.

The process of emphasizing the American identity of a territory, such as Hawaii, to gain public support during wartime.

The process of minimizing the American identity of a territory, such as the Philippines, to avoid public interest in their defense during wartime.

A political entity that is governed by a foreign power, typically with limited autonomy.

A term used to describe overseas territories in the early 20th century, replacing the term 'colony' to soften the image of US imperialism.

The exclusion of US territories from the common mental image of the country, leading to a distorted perception of its geographic extent.

The geographical boundaries of the United States, encompassing all states, territories, and island possessions.

The misconception that the United States is a politically uniform space, where all states hold equal power and autonomy.

The mainland United States, as perceived by residents of US territories.

The term used to describe US territories, particularly in the early 20th century, reflecting the lack of equal political status compared to states.

The collection of US territories, distinct from the mainland states, populated by millions of people.

The use of maps to represent the United States, showcasing the country's full territorial extent including Alaska, Hawaii, and territories like Puerto Rico.

Small, often uninhabited islands claimed by the United States in the Caribbean and Pacific.

The diverse historical relationship between the United States and its territories, encompassing colonialism, imperialism, and evolving political status.

The US government's control over territories outside of the mainland, including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

The perception of the US as an empire, driven by its overseas territories, military interventions, economic power, and cultural influence.

Relating to the mainland US, excluding territories like Hawaii and Alaska.

The idea that race has shaped the US beyond just black and white, encompassing a diverse range of groups like Filipinos, Hawaiians, and Samoans.

The act of taking land from another country through military force or political maneuvering.

The process of claiming territory and subjecting its population to control.

The subordination of African Americans in the US, compared to the oppression of colonized peoples.

The spread of US economic dominance across the globe, influencing other countries through trade, investment, and cultural exports.

The use of US military force in various countries, ranging from major wars to smaller interventions.

The act of excluding territories and their populations from official US statistics, creating a partial picture.

The lack of awareness about US overseas possessions among mainlanders.

A focus on the actual territories and their populations, rather than general discussions of empire.

The act of claiming that Hawaii is foreign, despite being a part of the United States.

The controversy surrounding the inclusion or exclusion of territories in the US Census.

The idea that the US is an empire, though often not acknowledged due to the lack of focus on its territories.