Why Japan Attacked Pearl Harbor

Japan fought wars of conquest with nations it felt it easily beat. No so the case with the US.

Generally, countries like Japan attack larger and more "equal" enemies like the US for one of two reasons... they have nothing left to lose, or they fear they have everything to lose. In this case, the Japanese felt they had everything to lose and that the US were the only ones capable, and possibly willing, to take it from them. By controlling most of Asia, natural resources (including oil) would cease to be a problem. Japan had no real designs toward Hawaii or the west coast, but they wanted to dominate Asia. Geographically, the Philippines (which the US controlled) was like a sword gouging them from underneath. Our position in the Philippines had the potential to destroy everything they had created.

The hope, and it was something of a desperate hope, was to attack us quickly and decisively... to hopefully knock us out quickly... take the Philippines for themselves, and thus secure their conquests and position in Asia as the overwhelmingly dominate country.

radcen, et al,

I completely disagree.

(COMMENT)

While there are many reasons that the Japanese, supported the war; it was basically to expand their control over "the natural resources." Necessary to expand their prosperity.

Just My Thought,
R

RoccoR said:

While there are many reasons that the Japanese, supported the war; it was basically to expand their control over "the natural resources." Necessary to expand their prosperity.

Just My Thought,
R

Click to expand...

This is why I encourage anybody who wants to gain a fuller understanding of what caused the war to research the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Once you know about and understand this concept, most of the intent and goals of the war become painfully obvious.

RoccoR said:

radcen, et al,

I completely disagree.

​

(COMMENT)

While there are many reasons that the Japanese, supported the war; it was basically to expand their control over "the natural resources." Necessary to expand their prosperity.

Just My Thought,
R

Click to expand...

It needed huge loads of resources to sustain the conquest, and the war with China was rapidly drying it up of its resources. Steel was embargoed from the US, as was oil. Rubber was also important. These three natural resources are vital in any war, but especially to Japan, due to its heavy reliance upon its navy and air force.
The attack of Pearl Harbor and the Pacific War, as with most wars were fought for economic reasons