Final answer:
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor to neutralize the US Pacific Fleet and gain time to conquer and establish a Japanese empire in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. They also wanted to secure resources located in Hawaii and believed it was part of their empire. The US did not provoke Japan by attacking Guadalcanal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason Japan attacked Pearl Harbor was mainly because they wanted to neutralize the threat posed by the US Pacific Fleet. By destroying the fleet, Japan hoped to gain enough time to conquer and establish a Japanese empire in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. They also believed that by eliminating the US deterrent, they would have a better chance at securing the resources, particularly oil and rubber, located in Hawaii.
Additionally, Japan viewed Hawaii as a strategic location and considered it a part of their greater empire. They believed that by attacking Pearl Harbor and destroying the US fleet, they could regain control of Hawaii.
It is important to note that the US did not provoke Japan by attacking Guadalcanal. The attack on Guadalcanal took place after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and was part of the broader Pacific Theater of World War II.
Learn more about Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor