Why Japan Attacked Pearl Harbor
The Great Depression had a great impact on the Japanese: exports fell and unemployment rose. Japan was in great need for coal and oil. The oil and coal would fuel its industries which would help them create products to sell to other countries. This would help them make money to buy food. The leaders of Japan decided to use force to get oil and coal. In July 1941, Japan needed more oil and coal. So, they invaded Indochina. When they did it angered the United States. They refused to sell any more oil to Japan. Of course, this angered Japan. It also made their leaders feel threatened by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. They maneuvered, from the base Pearl Harbor, in the Pacific Ocean. The military leaders decided that if the United States wouldn't sell oil to them, that they would have to attack. A general became the prime minister and decided to attack. Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto planned the attack on pearl harbor. He studied at Harvard University, therefore, he knew the people wouldn't give in easily. He knew the attack had to be huge.