the attack on pearl harbor?

Question

what led to the attack on pearl harbor?

Answer 1

Japanese expansionism in the Pacific and Asia. The economic sanctions and embargo's placed on Japan by the U.S. and others threatened to dry up oil and other raw materials needed to power the Japanese Military machine. The movement of the U.S. Fleet to Pearl Harbor from San Diego California was viewed as a threat by the Japanese Government.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was an effort by the Japanese Govt. to deal a decisive blow to the U.S. in order that the Japanese could invade Southern Pacific Islands and Australia, to capture and have access to the raw materials they needed to continue to power their war efforts. With our fleet destroyed in that region it would have cleared the way for them to do the invading unhampered.

However Admiral Yamamoto who was in command of the Japanese navy stated during the attack that he felt that all they had done was "awaken a sleeping giant". He had also thought before the attack that all Japan's Navy could do was create havoc for the U.S. navy for a couple of years at best. He was right.

That is why the Japanese chose to attack Pearl Harbor as their striking point. It was an attempt to "go for the throat" so to speak. One problem though....... The main targets of the Japanese Navy, the U.S. aircraft carriers, were not in the Harbor at the time of the attack. So the attack was called off and not followed through on by the Japanese command for fear of running into the U.S. Aircraft Carriers.

Answer 2

Is there a book you can read about... or you could type in on the internet "what led to the attack on pearl harbor?"

Answer 3

Japan attacked the US in response to what Japan considered an ultimatum from the US in the form of the Hull Note. This basically demanded that Japan immediately withdraw all of its forces from China. Japan considered this a direct threat to its policy of expansionism and decided the only way they could continue unabated was a declaration of war on the US, Britain and it allies. To succeed, Japan felt they must destroy the US Fleet before anything else. The plan was carried out on December 7, 1941.

Answer 4

Before the attack Japan had invaded parts of Vietnam and China. Japan needed the natural resources there to continue its modernization/manufacturing. As Japan started to expand the "empire", the US tried to influence it to stop taking over other countries. The supply of oil was threatened and Japan wanted the US to leave it alone. Negotiations did not produce results.
The Germans and Italians supported Japan through alliances and had felt that the Americans were helping too much in Europe/England. Japan felt that their sovereignty was in danger and attacked.

Answer 5

Roosevelt wanted public opion on his side so that he could enetr the war with England. He arrranged to have most of our battleships docked in Pearl Harbor within striking range of the Japanese fleet even though our relationship with Japan was on the brink of war. This enticed the Japanese to attack so Roosevelt could declare war.

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/pearl/www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6315/pearl.html

Answer 6

Japan dropped bombs on Pearl Harbor

Answer 7

Japan was looking to expand its empire and acquire natural resources it did not have. The attack was pre-emptive in order for Japan to continue to invade weaker countries without interference from America.

Answer 8

Lack of vigilance on the Americans' part, they should have seen it coming