Prelude
Japanese Relations
As far back as 1934, we had received reliable reports that Japan was planning to dominate all of Southeastern Asia, including most islands in the West Pacific."
-Gerald M. VanDyke, Special Agent with the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Service
_ Japan invaded China in 1931, and the
Chinese-Japanese war started in 1937. Japan gained control of Indochina,
and the United States, now that Japan had violated the principles of peaceful and orderly international conduct, began to suspect Japan would attack Malaya. To stop Japan's advances, President Roosevelt froze
Japanese assets in the United States and embargoed trade, placing a lot of strain on Japan's economy. The
United States offered to end the embargo if Japan removed troops from China. Japan now had two
choices: cooperate with the United States or prepare for conflict.
World War II Begins
World War II started on September 1st, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Germany wanted to expand its territory and began to invade other European countries. War started between the Allies (Britain and France) and Axis Powers (Italy, Germany, and Japan).