[colorado tanker]

The thing I find most goofy about the "FDR knew" debate is that everyone knew the Japanese were likely to attack. What people didn't know was where. All U.S. bases, including Pearl, had repeatedly been warned of the situation. Because of the ship activity spotted in the South China sea most people thought south and the most at risk U.S. possession was the Philipines. But no one knew the Japanese would strike two directions at once and be audacious enough to attack Pearl.

Did FDR want to join the Allied cause? Yes. Did FDR expect the Japanese to attack U.S. bases? He thought that was likely - that's why he made a last minute personal appeal to the Emperor for peace. Did FDR use the attack on Pearl to take us into the European war? Yes. Does this prove FDR knew of the plans to attack Pearl? Not even close.

[Timesink]

The thing I find most goofy about the "FDR knew" debate is that everyone knew the Japanese were likely to attack. What people didn't know was where.

The thing I find most goofy about the "Bush knew" debate is that everyone knew Al-Qaeda were likely to attack. What people didn't know was where.

The more things change...

[tcuoohjohn]

I agree with almost all points in your post save the last. The most compelling evidence of all is the notion of motive. FDR wanted to assist the British on a more active level. I also believe that he wanted to enter the European war. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor FDR found himself warring with the "wrong" enemy. The US declaration of War against Japan based upon the attack at Peral Harbor did not include Germany. Given those sets of facts it could have resulted in the US fighting Japan ( Our war) while the Brits would be left to fight Germany in "their" war.

In what may well be the most strategic blunder in History Hitler declared war on the United States on December 11,1941. Under the tripartite pact Hitler was only obligated to declare war if one of the signatories was attacked. Clearly Japan could not claim that the United States Attacked Japan on December 7,1941.