Did Roosevelt push Japan into attacking Pearl Harbor?

[PatBC]

I did not vote in the poll because none the choices fit my opinion.

I agree with Jim about Roosevelt want to fight Germany more then Japan. Germany and Fascism was seen as a great threat to Democracy, Japan was not seen a threat. FDR did not believe the Japanese troops might be in Washington but was worried the Nazis if they conquered all of Europe could someday be in Washington.

I think FDR felt that the Japanese would either back down or fight but be easily defeated.

The oil embargo would have an effect on the Japanese Military including their operations in China. However as pointed out the metal and rubber meant Japan's economy would collapse

[Brett]

I don't know if I agree that Japan was forced to attack the US. They wanted
the resources in SE Asia. IMO the biggest mistake Japan made in the war
was to attack Pearl Harbor.

If they had just attacked the European colonies in SE Asia, it would have
been very hard for the US to have entered the war. Even if they had,
after some of the Pacific bloodbaths, there would have been a lot more
morale problems.

[Horch]

Originally Posted by PatBC

I did not vote in the poll because none the choices fit my opinion. FDR did not believe the Japanese troops might be in Washington but was worried the Nazis if they conquered all of Europe could someday be in Washington.

Nah. Germany couldn't even cross the Channel. (supposedly) The Atlantic? Not even if they went up through So.America.

[PatBC]

While yes Germany was incapable of carrying out Sealion in 40 or 41, that in no way means that would always be the case in the years to come.

[Horch]

Originally Posted by PatBC

While yes Germany was incapable of carrying out Sealion in 40 or 41, that in no way means that would always be the case in the years to come.

Using that logic, it's still possible.

[salinator]

Originally Posted by Brett

I don't know if I agree that Japan was forced to attack the US. They wanted
the resources in SE Asia. IMO the biggest mistake Japan made in the war
was to attack Pearl Harbor.

If they had just attacked the European colonies in SE Asia, it would have
been very hard for the US to have entered the war. Even if they had,
after some of the Pacific bloodbaths, there would have been a lot more
morale problems.

They had attacked European colonies and the Euros were unable to contain the Japanese. The only free standing European country was Britain and she had her hands full. Is there a major land mass barrier between Asia and the United States?

[PatBC]

Originally Posted by salinator

They had attacked European colonies and the Euros were unable to contain the Japanese. The only free standing European country was Britain and she had her hands full. Is there a major land mass barrier between Asia and the United States?

Japan could not be a critical theat to the USA, Germany was.

There would be no nearby safe land base for the Japanese to launch an attack from. German however if it also had the UK and the RN fleet could invade Canada and then the US. Even directly across the Atlantic it is 1/2 the distance and you can sail direct to Washington DC.
Germany with all the industrial capacity of Europe would far exceed Japan with all the industrial capacity of Asia. Germany might even exceed the US in that case. (not sure on that but I think so).

[Horch]

[quote=PatBC;25040][quote=salinator;25038]

Originally Posted by Brett

I don't know if I agree that Japan was forced to attack the US. They wanted
the resources in SE Asia. IMO the biggest mistake Japan made in the war
was to attack Pearl Harbor.
Japan could not be a critical theat to the USA, Germany was.
There would be no nearby safe land base for the Japanese to launch an attack from. German however if it also had the UK and the RN fleet could invade Canada and then the US. Even directly across the Atlantic it is 1/2 the distance and you can sail direct to Washington DC.

Again, Japan was goaded into attacking Pearl Harbor. (By FDR) Their 'mistake' could well have been having no follow up and taking over the islands.I do believe Japan did, in a small way attack the US. With Pearl...hmmm. (what if?)

The logistics alone negate an attack on the US. Also on Canada. No offense,but it does make for a good 'what if ' scenario ,or a WW2 fiction or novel though. Just my opinion.

[PatBC]

I do not see how the logistics for Germany invading North America with all of Europe's (including the UK) industrial might behind her would be any worst then it would be for the US to invade Japan.

[Horch]

Originally Posted by PatBC

I do not see how the logistics for Germany invading North America with all of Europe's (including the UK) industrial might behind her would be any worst then it would be for the US to invade Japan.

Ahhhhhhh...I don't know. Having all of Europe's industrial might? Like Germany, it might well have all been bombed out too. But then again, Germany was still pumpin the stuff out even at the end of the war, from underground.The US invading Japan was most doable.(+expensive) Germany?......Still sounds like fiction or a what if to me.