[Burr5]

" But I think the sanctions where the result of Jap aggression against U.S. ships in China."

Sorry, but the U.S. economic sanctions were about the "bigger picture". Namely, China. Japan bombed our navy in order to gain the time to consolidate their rule over the western pacific rim and then establish a credible defensive perimeter that we wouldn't want to mess with. Then they could negotiate terms. They were fools. But in my book, we picked two stupid fights in the 40s. And if you don't believe it, remember that we managed to get ourselves into TWO giant global wars that had nothing to do with each other within one week under FDR.

[Wisconsin155]

I was a little off on the timing. You do realize I was referring to the sinking of US naval river boats in China. My point was that hostilities predated Pearl. We were antagonizing each other for several years. The Flying Tigers for example. The actual event that triggered the sanctions was, ironically enough, Japanese occupation of Vichy French Indo China. Or as it is known today, Vietnam

As for picking two stupid fights, your opinion. We could probably of ignored Europe. But then would Stalin of swept all the way to the Atlantic? Or would Germany of figured out the bomb? I do think do to our economic interests in China at the time, and the Philippine islands being as strategic as they are, that conflict with Japan was inevitable.