Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?

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They wanted a Nuke sandwich.

>>129269034
To wipe out the US Pacific Fleet

Mecca needs a nuke sandwich

>>129269034
The harbour is as big as a bathtub as well, pretty crazy idea all round.

>>129269034
Cause the only good American is the dead American.

>>129269034
something about them being buttblasted about not getting any more oil

Because FDR wanted to get involved in war since he couldn't get the US out of a depression with his socialist policies

He inevitably created the military industrial complex

Oil embargo.

?????

Because we let them

>>129269034
Because the British began a propaganda push into Japan claiming the US was going to send their Navy there. The same type of push the British did in the US to get the US into the war.

The Japanese saw a build up at Hickam and thought the intel was correct.

Yes there was a oil embargo, but attacking someone hoping they would give you oil in return makes no sense, I deem that argument invalid.

The oil blockade from the US to Japan affected their campaign in China. FDR knew ahead of time that they were going to attack, but he let them anyway so that it would appear that it was done out of surprise and also gave them a reason to declare war on the Axis.

>>129270528
> I deem that argument invalid.

Total authority on history you are mate.

American economic relief came with the price tag of complete withdrawal in China, they weren't about to do that so their other option was to advance into the Dutch East Indie to acquire oil, this would inevitably lead to American intervention.

The oil embargo was the deciding factor, either they withdraw from China or they acquire oil by other means, means which would inevitably lead to war with America.

>>129269034
US embargoed them during an ongoing war, giving them an option of A.) Collapse and defeat against China, possibly falling to commies or B.) Seize nearby European colonialresources and use them in a wider war effort they might not win.

Japs are dramatic and suicidal, went for B.

>>129271259
http://www.historynet.com/britains-propaganda-war-on-america.htm

Like I said, a smaller less powerful country trying to bully another country for resources makes no sense at all.
The Japanese were not dumb by any means at all. They honestly believed the US was massing a fleet to sail over and crush them. Thanks to a lot of bad intel that was pushed through their channels.

I have no proof if FDR and Churchill were in on this to kick things off, but FDR ignoring the impending attack warnings on multiple occasions and removing his most valuable ships out of Hickam port a day before the onslaught is pretty hard to cover up.

Interesting information. Thank you all for the input.