Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941

Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941

Document A

• Vice-Chief of Staff Tsukada Isao believes that if the Japanese continue to move Southward then Italy and Germany can defeat Britain
• With the Axis powers conquering England they could probably eventually take China and the U.S.S.R
• The taking of the South would cause a deficit in American sources of strategic materials
• If England falls then American should reconsider its position

Document B

• Roosevelt, Hull, and Welles are trying to deal with the situation in the Pacific
• They find Tojo circles them from all sides
• Roosevelt, Hull, and Welles are confused as to what to do
• Tojo is depicted negatively with his exaggeratedly small size

Document C

• Japanese ambassadors are trying extremely hard to get the United States to agree with Japan
• The U.S. comes up with a different proposal and endured great sacrifices to preserve peace in the Pacific
• Japanese want to break off the negotiations but don't want the U.S. to know this
• Instead the Japanese insist they have been peaceful all along but the U.S. is being unbendable, making it impossible for the Japanese to negotiate

Document D

• The Japanese are successful and powerful (invaded Mancguris, etc.) but because of this they have great responsibilities from now on
• They must stay powerful and to do so must bring their military and government closer together
• Together Japan believes it will be victorious if its efforts to reach its aims pays off

Document E

• Japan purposely attacked Pearl Harbor and took America by surprise
• Before the U.S. had peaceful relationships with Japan according to FDR
• They are try to maintain peace but it is useless to continue peace negotiations which were supposed to prevent attacks or war
• The Japanese lied by saying they intended peace and gave the the U.S. false statements since it obviously took a lot of intended planning to carry out the attack on Pearl Harbor
• FDR wants war between the U.S. and Japan