Ep 1. Pearl Harbor

As a part of its third season, Codes & Conspiracies explores one of the darkest days in the American history- Pearl Harbor. A surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy, on the morning of December 7, 1941, led to the United States entering World War II. This episode delves into the covert intelligence gathering, political machinations, and behind the scenes maneuvering that led to the Pearl Harbor attack and how it shaped the course of the war.

The episode starts by retracing the diplomatic history between Japan and the United States that eventually led to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. By the early 20th century, Japan emerged as a powerful and industrialized country, vying for a stake in the global affairs and seeking access to raw materials and markets. However, the United States, a dominant power with substantial holdings across Asia and the Pacific, resisted Japan's ambitions, fueling tensions between the two nations.

As the episode unfolds, it shows how the intelligence agencies of both countries were heavily engaged in gathering and deciphering each other's intelligence information. Both the United States and Japan had made significant strides in cryptology, the science of codes and ciphers, and were able to intercept and decode each other's military communications. The efforts of cryptographers like William Friedman, who was instrumental in breaking Japan's naval codes, and others, helped in anticipating some of the Japanese military's moves. However, a series of mishandled intelligence reports, political distractions, and a miscalculation of the Japanese's intent, led to a critical failure in intelligence gathering.

The show goes on to illustrate how various political forces and interests played a role in the events that led to the Pearl Harbor attack. In Japan, the military had a significant say in the country's foreign policy, and its expansionist aims were in direct conflict with the more moderate civilian leadership. On the other hand, the political leadership in the United States, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was divided over the country's role in the world's affairs and how much it should intervene. Furthermore, the US Congress had passed a series of acts that sought to limit US military involvement in foreign wars.

The episode also looks into the mechanics of the Pearl Harbor attack, how it was executed, and finally, the aftermath. The Japanese navy executed a coordinated assault by simultaneously attacking 8 US military installations. Their target was to cripple the US Pacific fleet and establish Japan's dominance over the region. The attack led to over 2,400 casualties, including civilians, and destroyed much of the US naval fleet's airpower.

Finally, the episode concludes by discussing the impact of the attack, both domestically in the United States and abroad. It was a turning point in American history and propelled the country into World War II, leading to significant casualties and global changes. It also led to changes in US foreign policy, and the United States emerged as one of the leading global powers following the war.

Overall, Codes & Conspiracies season 3 episode 1, Pearl Harbor, is a fascinating exploration of one of the most significant events in American history. The episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the covert intelligence gathering, political maneuvering, and military tactics that culminated in the attack and shaped the course of the war. It is a must-watch for history buffs and those interested in American politics and foreign policy.