The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was intended as a preemptive act to prevent the United States Navy from interfering with its military plans. Why Japan would attempt to confront a force it knew it could not defeat is still a question. Japan was already engaged in a four-year war with China and debating an attack on the Soviet Union, so why engage in a war with a country with a huge industrial advantage? The United States was not only on the other side of the world, but also had a much more powerful military force. The United States had more weapons, tactics, and military forces than other countries. By attacking Pearl Harbor, Japan chose to wage war against an enemy capable of waging an unstoppable war against it. After World War I, Japan struggled to adapt to the new world. “While its economy was still primarily agricultural, the rapid growth of its population (to over 80 million) had reduced the amount of land suitable for agriculture. Many people lived in small houses without running water. In a country the size of California, only one in six hectares was agricultural land. This put a lot of pressure on the Japanese government to find more space and land for its people. » (America Enters World War II page 12). Japan attempted to transform its economic system based on agriculture into one based on industry. “But the international system of trade barriers and tariffs, established by the United States and other industrial powers to protect domestic manufacturing, has hampered Japan's industrial expansion.” (America enters World War II page 13). Most of the materials Japan needed were in neighboring countries controlled by European powers. Japan began to question its right to Asian markets and raw materials. “I...... middle of paper ......ip, and I moved it against the docks. It lifted the port side, and we felt the decks, the compartments, being penetrated... We were starting to get scared. I don't know about the others, but I thought, "Damn, I might get killed." (Remembering Pearl Harbor page 16). Attacking Japan was a smart tactical move against the United States. This was a two-pronged plan: first, if they attacked the United States, they would distract from what was happening in Europe and all sources would be directed toward the western half of the United States. Second, because the attack was so quick and unexpected, the United States was caught off guard. Since Japan attacked the largest base in the Pacific, Japan believed it could cripple America's defenses for a while. “The Japanese did not realize that the attack on December 7, 1941, would be a rallying cry for Americans who had not enlisted in the troops.” (Hampton)