To what extent do you agree that the US embargo was the main factor that led to Japan’s decision to attack Pearl Harbor?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that the US embargo was the main factor that led to Japan’s decision to attack Pearl Harbor. Candidates may refer to the impact of the US embargo on Japan. It led to drastic oil shortages for Japan and they would be forced to retreat from China if unable to find new sources of oil. The embargo also demonstrated that the US was Japan’s greatest threat in the Pacific and that they would need to eliminate this threat to implement their military plans. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example Japan’s announcement of the Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in 1940 which made clear Japan’s plans for its dominance of the region. Other factors may include the military problems facing Japan in China, long-term resentment towards the US for their immigration policies and the Washington Treaties. Candidates may also argue that Japan had been getting more militaristic throughout the 1930s with military coups, assassinations, events in Manchuria and alliances with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

A relatively popular question. The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that the US embargo was the main factor that led to Japan’s decision to attack Pearl Harbor. Overall, the responses were strong but in a significant number of responses seen there lacked in-depth knowledge of the embargoes and there were even some chronological issues regarding the events leading to Pearl Harbor.