1600-1997 Japan

1940 U.S. embargo on Japan

included aviation petrol & high-grade scrap iron

1940-1941 Japanese invasion of French Indochina

1940-1941 Japanese invasion of French Indochina

1940-1941 Japanese invasion of French Indochina

Importan

  • Japan occupied China’s ports, but supplies continued to reach the Chinese government through Chongqing
    • some were sent by the Soviets, U.S., and Britain through Burma and China's far western provinces
    • majority came through French Indochina, Laos and Cambodia
  • Germany’s 1940 defeat of France → its colonies were vulnerable
    • Japan requested the French governor of Indochina to occupy its northern regions to cut supply lines to China; in exchange, Japan would allow the Vichy French government to remain
      • veiled threat understood, permission granted
  • 1940 September: Japan landed troops at Haiphong in French Indochina and soon built airbases
  • 1940 September: 3 days after Japan took over, U.S. responds
    • prohibited sale of scrap iron and steel Japan; beginning of 1940-1941 U.S. embargo on Japan
      • the U.S. was one of Japan’s main suppliers for industry
    • increased financial aid to China’s government
  • 1941 July: Japan occupied the rest of French Indochina
    • page 88 of move to global war andy dailey

Success or fail?

  • ultimately, a success – supply lines to China were difficult to maintain because of increasing Japanese pressure
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