What was the cause of the Pearl Harbor attack?

Answer 1

US was concerned about Japan's aggression in the Pacific and China so the US placed an embargo on Japan over resources like oil. They hoped to slow down Japan. Japan's plan was to declare war on the US just before the attack. They attacked before they declared war. (Watch "Torra, Torra, Torra" to get an idea) The plan was to destroy the US Navy to win a quick war. They almost did! Luckily, our aircraft carriers were out of the bay. This is what Admiral Yamamoto, who planned the attacked said, "I am afraid all we have done, is woken up a sleeping giant."

Which is what Japan did!

I hope this helped you understand a little more.

IMPROVEMENT

Well, that is partially correct, but the main goal of Japan was getting Natural Resources and oil. How does that relate to Pearl Harbor? Well, most of the USA Navy Fleet was there. So for japan to invade the Philippines and other USA controlled areas, to get the resources they needed they had to take out the USA Naval Fleet. They did a good job too.

Editors note: The Japanese wanted to get the oil from the Dutch East Indies in South East Asia. To prevent the US Navy from coming after them they chose to eliminate the US Naval Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They could not purchase oil because of the embargo. The embargo was put into place to force the Japanese to get out of China and other places and to stop their brutal killing. The Japanese Delegates were trying to negotiate for an end to the embargo with President Roosevelt when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt and the Congress were furious and they declared war on Japan the next day.