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...?
