Why was Japan the one who attacked Pearl Harbor? The United States did not attack Japan with all its strength but attacked Germany first?

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Combined Fleet attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet naval base at Pearl Harbor, and then the United States officially declared war on the Axis Powers. However, in the course of World War II, the United States did not attack its enemy Japan immediately. Instead, it defeated Germany first. This was called "Europe first, Asia first" and "Europe first." In fact, "Europe first, Asia first" The strategy was not formulated after the United States was attacked by Japan. It was already determined in March 1941. In the words of then US President Roosevelt, "Europe comes first. This is the strategic policy of the United States that is unwavering at all times." The "Europe first, Asia first" policy was the result of a combination of reasons.

First of all, one of the most important reasons for the United States' participation in World War II was to compete for world hegemony. In a very short period of time, the United States expanded from thirteen colonies in North America to a great power across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In 1812, the United States even attempted to annex Canada, but was easily defeated by the United Kingdom. The "Monroe Doctrine" proposed by the United States was no more than The United States felt that it was not powerful enough, so it could only stay in the Americas to protect itself.

Europe has been the center of the world since the Industrial Revolution, and it had to control Europe in 1914 if it wanted to become a world hegemon. The First World War in 1918 was the United States' first struggle for world hegemony. Both the Paris Peace Conference and the establishment of the League of Nations contained American political intentions. However, the strength of Britain and France was still strong at that time and drove the United States back. The outbreak of World War II once again allowed the United States to see an opportunity. France, which had resisted the expansion of American power, was defeated and surrendered on June 22, 1940; Britain also had to bow to the United States in the face of the German offensive. The "Atlantic Charter" signed on August 14, 1941 can be said to be a landmark event in the transfer of power between the United Kingdom and the United States for "world leadership." Therefore, in order to achieve world hegemony, the United States must first concentrate on solving European problems.

Secondly, defeating Germany first is also the best option from a military perspective. Germany can be said to be the only industrial power among the Axis powers. At the end of 1941, Germany's weapons production was already the first in the world, coupled with the German occupation. The European territory and resources can be said to be full of stamina and huge potential; while Japan's industrial strength is a joke in the eyes of European and American powers. The Chinese people's determined resistance has made Japan trapped in the Chinese battlefield and cannot extricate itself. Japan is no longer a great threat.

According to U.S. military estimates, if it deals with Japan first, due to the environment of the Pacific battlefield, the United States will be trapped in a battle to seize the islands, and it will take at least two years to defeat Japan in the European battlefield. It is very doubtful whether Britain and the Soviet Union can withstand Germany alone for two years. Once either Britain or the Soviet Union is defeated, it will be difficult for the United States to intervene in Europe; in addition, with a two-year gap, Germany can calmly digest the war. As a result, the threat will be even greater, so the United States must first eliminate the German Nazis.

From a diplomatic perspective, the United States must first send troops to Europe. To be honest, the real leaders of the allied camp in World War II were the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union. Three countries. Before the United States entered the war, the United Kingdom was blockaded by German submarines and aircraft and was already in a situation of shortage of supplies. The Soviet Union was fighting alone against the millions of Nazi German troops. It lost troops and lost ground and suffered a huge defeat, all of which needed the support of the United States. The United Kingdom and the Soviet Union fully supported the "Europe first, Asia first" policy. The Times at the end of 1941 clearly stated that "the Allies believe that victory means defeating Germany first. Washington, London and Moscow have completely different views on this basic goal." Consistent”. Therefore, in order to win over its two most important allies, the United States will also send troops to Europe.

Finally, from an economic perspective, it is also important for Europe to the United States. Before the outbreak of World War II, the annual trade volume between the United States and Europe was 2.2 billion U.S. dollars, and the trade volume between the United States and Asia was only over 1 billion U.S. dollars. However, Nazi Germany’s occupation of Western Europe and the submarine blockade cut off European and American trade; in addition, before World War II, the United States’ trade volume in various parts of Western Europe They all invested a lot of money, and these assets were basically confiscated by the Nazis under various pretexts. American capitalists suffered heavy losses. At the same time, the large cities and large industrial production bases in the United States are concentrated on the Atlantic coast. From a cost perspective, it is more appropriate to invest power in Europe.