Parker, Second World War Ch. 5, The United States Enters the War: The Origins of the Japanese Attack, pages 7285
Bess, Choices Under Fire Ch. 2, Causes of the Pacific War, pages 4257
Essay 1:
Evaluate Japan’s growth as an important regional and even international power up through the 1930s. What events, characteristics, and motivations shaped the Japanese course to that point in time? Be sure to assess relevant aspects of the country’s history and social organization, as well as how Japanese leaders perceived themselves, and how they thought others saw them in turn. Reference key developments like the Russo-Japanese War, First World War, etc.

Essay 2:
Did Japan have to go to war against the United States in December 1941? Evaluate the points at which the Japanese/U.S. relationship began to unravel; what options were available to each side at those times? Why did each country’s leaders make the choices they did? Was the war inevitable, or could it have been avoided? What would have forestalled conflict, and would such an expectation have been at all realistic considering the circumstances? Be sure to evaluate rational and even irrational motivations based on historical evidence from the readings. 
Each Essay should be of 2-3 pages and no more than 3 pages double spaced.