Beginings of WWII in the Pacific

[Walt's Daughter]

Homework welcome here! After all, I used to teach school.

 

Unfortunately one of the main reasons it's so difficult for diplomats and/or trade representatives to achieve lasting and peaceful settlements, is because there IS NO appeasing the aggressive behavior of some nations. It's plain and simple as that. Diplomats no matter how skilled, governments no matter how committed, have little effect to stop an enemy who is resolved to have his way.

 

Using the Pacific in the 30's, is a perfect example of this. I have to smirk when I read the words of those who say, well if we would have stopped the embargo on oil, the Japanese would have dropped their aggressive stance. Bologna! The Japanese already had their plans to take over vast amounts of land in China and elsewhere. The oil embargo wasn't put in place until mid July of 1941, and was our final attempt to put a stop to their military threat.

 

Yes, Japan used this as an excuse to attack the US, but Japan's economy was falling apart for the last several years. This was due to the crash in 1929 and it's world-wide spead, but also due to internal affairs in Japan. The Minsei Party government (July 1929-April 1931, with prime minister Osachi Hamaguchi, finance minister Junnosuke Inoue, and foreign minister Kijuro Shidehara) deliberately adopted a deflationary policy in order to eliminate weak banks and firms and to prepare the nation for the return to the prewar gold parity (fixed exchange rate with real appreciation). The policy of deflation and return to gold was strongly advocated and implemented by finance minister Inoue.

 

Considering the stance of their military and their weakening economy, no amount of diplomacy would have stopped Japan. Her mind was set and her will was indomitable.