Essay On Japanese Isolationism

After World War I, the United States adopted a policy of isolationism; neutrality became the prominent factor in foreign policy. The United States felt that it was safe in its position in the world and wanted to uphold the status quo, a reflection of the attitude of President Roosevelt, who saw no use in war at the time. Even after the invasion of Poland, which led to the start of World War II, the United States remained neutral and wary of war, passing a system of cash-and-carry arms. This showed that the United States stood with democracies, but was not ready to be fully involved with the war. Though the United States continued to remain on the sidelines, the prospect of war was quickly becoming inevitable. When Great Britain, an ally of the United States, asked for more support with supplies, President Roosevelt refused, leading to the fall of France and the destruction of the balance of power in Europe. Eventually, the United States began leasing supplies to Great …show more content…
Tensions rose over conflicting interests in China - if the Japanese controlled China, it would give the Axis greater power to win the war, which the United States wanted to prevent. When the United States placed the embargo on the Japanese, it led to the discussion of a compromise between the two nations, even though Japan already planned its attack on Pearl Harbor. When the United States would not give Japan the free hand it wanted in Asia, war became a clear prospect. Though neither country wanted to go to war, both would if they had to. Neither country backed down, inevitably leading to the attack by the Japanese, and the United States declaring war. It was clear to the United States that Japan would stop at nothing to control China and other oil-rich islands in the Pacific. Had the United States been on better terms with Japan and let them have the control they desired, war between the two nations could have been