Why was Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor such a surprise?

The conventional wisdom held that the Japanese would try to seize the resources of Southeast Asia and perhaps attack the Philippines. Other analysts predicted an attack on the South Soviet Union. A Pearl Harbor attack was ruled out because it was believed the Japanese lacked the capacity to mount such an operation.

Explanation:

first industrial revolution - the first wave of the industrial revolution lasted from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. it industrialized the manufacture of textiles and began the move of production from homes to factories. steam power and the cotton gin played an important role in this period.