In an effort to deviate and punish Japan for their deviant acts, the United States had renounced its trade treaty with Japan, along with an aviation gasoline ban; this would put more economic pressure on Japan than ever before. The war between China and Japan had reached a stalemate by 1940 and in an effort to increase pressure on the Chinese, and to put them in a better position in case they have to fight the West, they occupied Northern Indochina. The United States had enough, they embargoed iron, steel, and other metals against Japan, with other sanctions soon to come.
Chinese communists then launched an offensive in Central China, prompting Japan to institute harsh measures in occupied areas to reduce human and other forms of capital against the communists. Antipathy occurred amongst the allied Chinese communist and nationalist forces, resulting in armed clashes between them, ending their co-operation. The Japanese tried to attack but were repulsed in the Battle of Shanggao. In an attempt to take the city of Changsha, they clashed with Chinese nationalist forces.
Germany’s successful battles encouraged Japan to increase pressure on European governments in Asia. Japan had been given some oil supplies from the Dutch, but proposals for more had fallen. Japan then sent troops to Southern Indochina, cutting off Britain and the Netherlands of their possessions. The West reacted with another oil embargo.
The United States and Japan had moved into negotiations to end the war with China, and possibly shed some bad blood between them. The Japanese tried to advance a series of proposals, but they were denounced as inadequate. The West had been preparing for a defense of their territories in an event of a Japanese attack, so they had space to negotiate. The United States reinforced the Philippines and warned the Japanese that the United States will react to a Japanese attack.
Feeling the stress of being rejected and sanctioned, the Japanese prepared for their attack. As a final proposal, they called for an end of American aid to the Chinese and an end to embargoes of oil on Japan. In exchange, they will not attack Southeast Asia and will withdraw forces from Indochina. The Americans countered with requiring that the Japanese evacuate all of China under no conditions and to conclude non-aggression pacts with the Pacific. The Japanese couldn’t accept this, and believed that the oil embargo was reason enough to attack.
The Japanese planned to rapidly seize Western territories in Asia and create a large defensive perimeter into the Central Pacific. The Japanese can then exploit resources and exhaust the Allies by fighting defensively. They also wished to neutralize the United States Pacific Fleet and any American military in the Philippines. The Japanese attacked British and American territories with offensives against Southeast Asia and the Central Pacific, including the Attack on Pearl Harbor, territories in Thailand and Malaya, and Hong Kong.
The United States, Great Britain, China, Australia, and other allies were given no choice but to declare war on Japan. The Soviet Union, already stretched with their battles with the Axis, preferred to be neutral with Japan.
In solidarity with Japan, Germany declared war on the United States, seeing it as justification for attacking German submarines and merchant ships.
The United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, China, and other nations issued the Declaration by United Nations, affirming the already existing Atlantic Charter, thus taking an obligation to not sign separate peace with the Axis powers.
The allied forces debated on the appropriate strategy to pursue. Defeating Germany first was a unanimous decision, but the Americans favored a straightforward, large scale on Germany through France. The Soviet Union pursued a second front, but the British argued that military operations should target certain areas and place a ring around Germany, wearing out their strength, increasing demoralization, and bolstering resistance forces. Germany was stuck in a predicament itself, having been subjected to a heavy bombing campaign. A heavy offensive on Germany can occur without using so many soldiers. The British and Americans finally came to a conclusion where landing in France was a terrible move and they can instead focus on driving the Axis out of North Africa.
The allies next issued a declaration declaring that they will not negotiate and wish for unconditional surrender. The British and Americans agreed to invade Sicily and secure the Mediterranean supply routes. Though the British wished for further operations in the Balkans to bring Turkey into war, the Americans instead wished for the British to limit Allied operations in the Mediterranean to an invasion of the Italian mainland and invade France by 1944.
Fast Track To History 