US declares war on Japan for sinking USS Panay

Non-naval discussions about the Second World War. Military leaders, campaigns, weapons, etc.
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RF
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US declares war on Japan for sinking USS Panay

Post by RF »

I thought that it might be an interesting proposition to pose the question of the USA declaring war on Japan when the USS Panay was sunk.

In particular how would the whole course of WW2 have run? How would it have affected the conflict in Europe, including for example the Spanish Civil War? And indeed what would the consequences be for China - would the Chinese communists have ultimately been denied coming to power as they did in 1949?
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steffen19k
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Re: US declares war on Japan for sinking USS Panay

Post by steffen19k »

That is a very difficult question to answer. But I'll take my best swing at it.

Its highly possible that China would have become a central battle field more like North Africa, rather than the forgotten front that it was. Its also highly probable that US & British Relations would have suffered, as the US/Japan in China would have led to the British worrying about their holdings in the area. The Phillipines and Formosa most likely would have become large US Military bases.

Past that, I have little or no clue.
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RF
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Re: US declares war on Japan for sinking USS Panay

Post by RF »

Given that the Japanese posed a threat to British interests throughout the Far East I think it is unlikely that British/US relations would deteriorate. In fact open war involving the US may well have prompted the Japanese to move into the British, French and Dutch possessions and that would mean these countries would also be at war with Japan.
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aurora
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Re: US declares war on Japan for sinking USS Panay

Post by aurora »

And Open Warfare was what we both got-due to intensified economical and political pressure on Japan by USA and GB; that coupled with the Chungking regime receiving support from USA and GB and it's Empire- did the trick

IMPERIAL RESCRIPT

By the grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan [Emperor Shōwa], seated on the throne occupied by the same dynasty from time immemorial, enjoin upon ye, Our loyal and brave subjects:

We hereby declare War on the United States of America and the British Empire. The men and officers of Our Army and Navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting the war. Our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their total strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of Our war aims.

To ensure the stability of East Asia and to contribute to world peace is the far-sighted policy which was formulated by Our Great Illustrious Imperial Grandsire [Emperor Meiji] and Our Great Imperial Sire succeeding Him [Emperor Taishō], and which We lay constantly to heart. To cultivate friendship among nations and to enjoy prosperity in common with all nations, has always been the guiding principle of Our Empire's foreign policy. It has been truly unavoidable and far from Our wishes that Our Empire has been brought to cross swords with America and Britain. More than four years have passed since China, failing to comprehend the true intentions of Our Empire, and recklessly courting trouble, disturbed the peace of East Asia and compelled Our Empire to take up arms. Although there has been reestablished the National Government of China, with which Japan had effected neighborly intercourse and cooperation, the regime which has survived in Chungking, relying upon American and British protection, still continues its fratricidal opposition. Eager for the realization of their inordinate ambition to dominate the Orient, both America and Britain, giving support to the Chungking regime, have aggravated the disturbances in East Asia. Moreover these two Powers, inducing other countries to follow suit, increased military preparations on all sides of Our Empire to challenge Us. They have obstructed by every means Our peaceful commerce and finally resorted to a direct severance of economic relations, menacing gravely the existence of Our Empire. Patiently have We waited and long have We endured, in the hope that Our government might retrieve the situation in peace. But Our adversaries, showing not the least spirit of conciliation, have unduly delayed a settlement; and in the meantime they have intensified the economic and political pressure to compel thereby Our Empire to submission. This trend of affairs, would, if left unchecked, not only nullify Our Empire's efforts of many years for the sake of the stabilization of East Asia, but also endanger the very existence of Our nation. The situation being such as it is, Our Empire, for its existence and self-defense has no other recourse but to appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path.

The hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors guarding Us from above, We rely upon the loyalty and courage of Our subjects in Our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by Our forefathers will be carried forward and that the sources of evil will be speedily eradicated and an enduring peace immutably established in East Asia, preserving thereby the glory of Our Empire.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hand and caused the Grand Seal of the Empire to be affixed at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, this seventh day of the 12th month of the 15th year of Shōwa, corresponding to the 2,602nd year from the accession to the throne of Emperor Jimmu.

(Released by the Board of Information, December 8, 1941. Japan Times & Advertiser)
Quo Fata Vocant-Whither the Fates call

Jim
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