In
Germany: "Living Room." The belief that land should be made
available to those who represented the greatest culture in the
world; Germany. Because there was no more land available in
Europe this belief went on to say that those who were currently
living on needed land and were unworthy of ownership should
vacate the land - or be forcibly removed.
Japan: "The greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere." The so
called Asia for Asians policy, where by Japan took over
territory under the control of European nations, claiming to
return it to the native population. In reality, where the
natives had lived as less then second class citizens in their
own homeland under the Europeans, they lived as slaves under
the Japanese.
Europe:
"Appeasement." The belief that a democratic nation could not
elect a madman as it's leader and that the Great World War was
to horrible for anyone to contemplate aggression again.
Many British foresaw the rise of Communism as the real threat to
their way of life. They felt they could use a "reasonable"
re-armed Germany as a buffer between Russia and the rest of
Europe. This belief led to the policy of compromise with
Hitler and, when faced with the need for great resolve, Europe
was found lacking.
America:
"Isolationism." America believed that it was a "world
apart" from the troubles of the old world - even further from
those of the orient. Even Charles A. Lindbergh, who had
proven the world much smaller then Americans believed it was,
refused to admit his own accomplishment. The "America
First" organization worked to eliminate Americas involvement
in any foreign conflict. America declared itself neutral
in 1935, effectively making it's foreign policy without
teeth. Germans and the American Nazi Party worked to
keep America neutral. The American Communist Party also
worked to keep the U.S. from siding with England and would
continue to do so until the day after Hitler attacks Russia.
+ 1934: Japan
backed out of the Naval treaty and began to re-arm.
+ 1935: Italy invades Ethiopia. League of Nations does
nothing. America adopts Neutrality Legislation.
+ 1936: Civil war in Spain. Dress rehearsal for the
land war in Europe. Germany occupies the Rhineland. League of
Nations does not act.
+ 1937: Japan invades China. Sinks American Gun Boat
in the Yangtze River.
+ 1938: Hitler marches into Austria. Once again he is
Appeased.
+ 1939: General War in Europe breaks out, when Germany
Attacks Poland.
+ 1940: Germany captures France. Battle of Britain.
FDR sends 40 old World War I destroyers to England.
+ 1941: Neutrality Patrol in the North Atlantic,
Allowing British ships cover of American Destroyers and
Aircraft half Way across the Atlantic. While forcing Germans
to either attack American War Ships or operate in a much
smaller area. U.S.S. Ruben James sunk in
October. Germany invades Russia. Japan sets attack of Pearl
Harbor to be immediately AFTER delivery of declaration
of War. Secretary of State Hull makes Japanese wait in
his outer office until he verifies the attack.
Were we really a peaceful nation who was
attack without warning...?
