FDR & Cordell Hull, 1940
If Manchuria was controlled, the Japanese felt they would have the advantage over Russia. Since the Chiang Nationalist government did wish to spend the money or the energy to combat Japan – but – still have communism squelched in the country, Manchuria was given up.
When the US started economic sanctions in 1939, Japan required new territories to supply their resources. They issued a request to the French for permission to enter Indo-China. In September 1940, the Vichy government agreed. The southeast portion of Asia was occupied, without incident, by the Japanese on 27-29 July 1941.
Vichy government, 1939
The US was incensed and proceeded to convince other countries to freeze Japan’s assets; the ABCD, (American, British, Canada, Dutch), power’s economic blockade began. By mid-1941, relations between Japan and the ABCD countries had basically reached a point of no return. The New York Times newspaper…
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First Night History 
Thank you for this reblog, I certainly hope your readers find it informative.
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If I do and Pete does, I’m sure others will. It’s a perspective one doesn’t often hear about.
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This continuing story of Japanese expansionism during WW2 makes it very clear that the USA always realised that war with Japan was inevitable. An interesting read, clearly written.
Best wishes, Pete.
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