Figure 1.-- |
|
While the Strike North Faction was initially the preminent Arny faction, a series of shocking events after Japan's invasion of China led to the victory of thec Strike South Faction within the Imperial Army. The Japanese were shicked at the very vocal American reaction to their war in China. This was of some consequence, not because of the moral outrage, but the fact that Japan was very dependant on America for raw materials, espoecially oil. The American Moral Embargo (July 1938) was thus a very real threat. Next came the NAZI-Soviet Non-Agression Pact (August 1939). NAZI Germany was Japan's principal ally against the Soviet Union which the Strike North Faction wanted to attack. NAZI diplomats had not consulted with the Japanese before signing the pact. This led to the Japanese questiining the value of the Anti-Comintern Pact and their German ally. Perhaps the most important development was an undeclared and poorly reported border war with the Sovirt Union (August 1939). The Red Army routed the Japanese along the Khalka River. This seems to have significantly reduced the Imperial Army's enthusism for invading the Soviet Union. The result was the Strike South Faction emerging as the dominat group in the Imperial Army.
American public opinion was outraged by Japenese aggression. Both the Rape of Nankin and the bombing of Japanese cities were wiidely reported in American nespapers and magazines as well as movie newsreels. Interestingly, public opinion was willing to tolerate more aggressive american policy in Asia against Japan than in Europe against the NAZIs. The reason for this dichotomy is not alltogether clear. Many Americans because of the work of missionaries felt a connection with China and were outraged by Japanese aggression, especially the brutality they saw in shocking images. The NAZIs were much more clever doing this period. They coughed their aggressive moves in terms of uniting German people and undoing the "unjust" Versailles Treaty. And they were able to get what they wanted without war because Britain and France refused to stand up to them. Perhaps another reason was that the American people feared NAZI Germany militarily, but did not think that the Japanese were a serious military threat. The U.S. Navy also did not accurately assess the Japanese military capability. American policy toward Japan was to use economic sanctions to disuade them from aggression. The first such action followed horific Japanese bombing raids in Canton targeting civilians. President Roosevelt issued a "moral embargo" he asked American aircraft manufacturwers and exporters to stop selling aircraft and aircraft parts (July 1938). The U.S. Government also began to persuade oil companies from exporting to Japan, although took no formal action. Japan proceeded to occupy Hainan Island (February 1939). Next the Japanese seized Spratly Islands, a menacing step because they were close to both French Indochina and British Borneo. President Roosevelt responded with a formal embargo of airplanes and parts. He also ordered the Navy to shift ships from the Atlantic to strengthen the Pacific Fleet. The President also ordered the State Department to inform the Japanese Government that te United States intended to abrogate the 1911 Trety of Commercen and Navigation which reglated trade between the two countries. This was of considerable significance. It gave the Administration the authority to extend the embargo to important materials (such as aluminum, molydenum, nickel, and tungsten). These actions had little impact on the Japan's aggressive moves. They did, however, draw the attention of the Japanese Government from a focus north to a focus south.
The NAZI-Soviet Non-Agression Pact shocked the world (August 1939). Stalin and Hitler had been such bitter enemies, it did not seem possible that they could forge and alliance. The Wesrern Allies (Britain and France) knew at once that it was a prelude to war. But it was not just the Allies who were shocked. Japan was also shockrd. NAZI Germany was Japan's principal ally against the Soviet Union which the Strike North Faction wanted to attack. NAZI diplomats had not consulted with the Japanese before signing the pact. This led to the Japanese questiining the value of the Anti-Comintern Pact and their German ally. It seemed that the Japanese could no rely on the NAZI Germany.
Large scale clashes occurred beginning May 1939 between Japanese and Soviet forces on the Mongolian plains along the border with Japanese-held Manchuria (Manchukuo). Neither side declared war. The Japanese released photographs of captured Soviet soldiers (July 1939). The conflict was little reported in the West. An offensive planned and executed by Marshall Zukov ended in a decisive voctory for the Soviets. The Japanese were forced to seek an armistace (September 1939). The clash was, however, of imense strategic significance, significantly affecting the strategic conduct of World War II. It was undoubtedly a factor encouraging Stalin to respond favorably to NAZI initiatives for a Non-Aggression Pact (August 1939) to ensure that the Soviet Union would not face a two-front war. Hitler ignored the Soviet performance and instread saw the inept Red Army offensive in Finland as evidence that the Soviets could be easily defeated. The Japanese Army concluded that further attacks on the Soviets were unwise. This was an important factor in attacking south in 1941 at America rather than north at the Soviet Union. It was also a major factor in refusing entrities from Hitler in 1942 to attack the Soviet Union, feeing the Red Army from what may have been a disastrous two-front war.
If the victory of the Strike South Faction had not already been sealed, the outbreak of World War II must have settled the debate. World War II erupted in Europe when Hitler ordered his Panzers to invade Poland (September 1, 1939). Two days later Britain and France honored their commitments to Poland and declared war (september 3). The world was stunded at the strength of the German Blitzkrieg of Poland. For the Japanese, there was a huge advantage. To seize the Dutch West Indies and other colonies in Southeast Asia, they would have to confront Britain and France, two countries with powerful navies and substantial military forces. War in Europe meant that neither country woukld be in position to resist Japanese aggression with great force. Of their had been any remaining doubt, the Strike South Faction in the Imperial Army was now in firm control. And subsequent German military victories (1939-41) only tended to confirm that Britain and France could not resist their advance in the Pacific. This meant that the only force capable of resisting the Japanese seizure of the Southern Resource Zone was the United States Pacific Fleet.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to Main World War II Japanese Road to War page]
[Return to Main Japanese World War II page]
[Return to Main World War II Pacific campaign page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]