History Extra podcast Preview: Was Pearl Harbor an inside job?
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Jul 4, 2025 Delve into the controversial theories surrounding Pearl Harbor, exploring whether the attack was orchestrated from within. Discover the political tensions between the U.S. and Japan leading to 1941. Unpack claims of foreknowledge and the complexities of intelligence failures. The conversation raises questions about betrayal and the implications of such a monumental event in history.
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Tense Pre-War Negotiations
- The attack on Pearl Harbor was not totally unexpected, as tensions between the US and Japan were extremely high.
- The US was negotiating with Japan while unknowingly Japan was already committed to war.
War Was Expected, Location Wasn't
- The US expected war in the Pacific imminently and knew Japan was advancing on multiple fronts.
- What was truly surprising was the specific location of the attack, Pearl Harbor itself.
Intelligence Gaps in Codebreaking
- The US had broken Japanese diplomatic codes but not the naval codes.
- Diplomatic messages warned of big actions soon but gave no specifics about the Pearl Harbor attack.
