The U.S.S. Shaw explodes during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in a black-and-white photo

Japan had little chance of victory—so why did it attack Pearl Harbor?

Long-simmering tensions with the U.S. over expansion in Asia came to a head on December 7, 1941.

The U.S.S. Shaw explodes during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. More than 2,400 people died and some 20 ships, including the U.S.S. Shaw, were destroyed or damaged.
Image courtesy of akg-images/Pictures from History
This content is Subscriber-Exclusive
You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.

Read This Next

Is banning fishing bad for fishermen? Not in this marine reserve
SeaWorld allegedly violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?
'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet