The International Response to Japanese Aggression

1. The International Response to Japanese Aggression 1931-1941

3. U.S. Response to Japan – Early 1930s • Following isolationism in the 1930s, reinforced by the Great Depression • Hoover took minimal action even after Open Door China was broken • Not the focus and lacked a strong navy in the early 30s • Had strong investments/trade in Japan it did not want to Jeopardize • Would only issue a non-recognition of Manchukuo and the violation of Kellogg-Briand Pact • Roosevelt continued the same trend; increasing export of strategic materials to Japan after 1933

5. U.S. Response to Japan – Early 1937-38 • Japan now threatening American interests • Naval building of 1936 upset the balance of power • Attacks on Open Door China • Offered financial support to the GMD • Rejected British appeals to join mediation of Sino-Japanese conflict • Roosevelt limited by Neutrality Acts

6. U.S. Response to Japan – Early 1937-38 • U.S.S. Panay bombed on the Yangtze River • Quick apology and compensation from the Japanese • Public opinion for isolation • Always unwilling to go past verbal condemnation • FDR: “Quarantine Speech” • Did not impose sanction, actually played a key role as U.S was the major supplier of oil, scrap iron and automobile parts

8. Changes in 1938 • Roosevelt may have won out in a struggle with isolationists; used presidential powers to ignore the Neutrality Acts and provide further support to China • Japan’s “New Order in East Asia” may have been the turning point • U.S. feared Chiang would accept the “New Order” solidifying Japanese rule • Also concerned he would receive help from the U.S.S.R • Also the time of the Tripartite Pact

9. 3 days after the Invasion of FIC, US cut metal supplies to Japan and increased the supplies for China

10. The Advance to War • January 1939, a moral embargo was placed on planes and aviation parts • February 1939, all credit to Japan suspended • July 1939, trade reciprocity suspended • July 1940, embargo on fuel and scrap metal • 1940 and 1941, U.S. sending economic and military aid to China • July 1941, Japan continue southward expansion, U.S. froze all assets • A. Freezing all Japanese assets in the USA and its territories, including bank deposits, bonds, ships and purchases that were waiting for shipment to Japan • B. Banning the sale of oil to Japan • C. Granting $240 million to China’s government for military purposes

11. The Advance to War • Japan totally dependent on American oil • Thought Westerners were attempting an encirclement • Choices: Withdraw from Indo-China and consolidate power in China or begin a war of conquest • All negotiations demanded a full Japanese withdrawal from China

12. UK followed the USA and froze all Japanese assets throughout Britain and its Empire • The Netherlands were under the Nazi occupation and operated from London but they followed the suit and froze Japan’s assets in their territories. • The ban on oil had the greatest effect on the Japanese policies. • Without the American oil, japan would lose its fuel for ships, aircrafts, and tanks, and Japan’s war against China would increasingly collapse. • The largest nearby source of oil was the Netherlands'’ Dutch East Indies( Indonesia) but it was too close to the Philippines and the US might have entered the war shortly