In other words, it would have evicted U.S. forces from the Philippine Islands, seized Pacific islands and built airfields there, and employed air and submarine attacks to cut the U.S. Pacific Fleet down to size on its westward voyage to the Philippines’ relief. Interceptive operations would have culminated in a fleet battle somewhere in the Western Pacific. Japan would have stood a better chance of success had it done so. Its navy still would have struck American territory to open the war, but it would have done so in far less provocative fashion. In all likelihood, the American reaction would have proved more muted—and more manageable for Japan.
Suppose Robert E. Lee had laid hands on a shipment of AK-47s in 1864. How would American history have unfolded? Differently than it did, one imagines.
More @ The National Interest
Interesting hypothesis. Clearly the attack on Pearl Harbor united Americans to a common cause. Something more subtle might have kept America out of war with Japan. Had Japan not attacked the US, would Germany have declared war on the US a few days later? Might America have sat out all of WW2? What would the world look like today had that been the case? Continuing your reference from a couple of days ago, Soviet domination of Europe?
ReplyDeleteYes, a great site.
DeleteStrange Emperor Hirohito was never dethroned. I guess one
ReplyDeletewould have to go deep down the rabbit hole to find out why.
Just like Cain, I would have thought they would have relished torturing him after his capture. They didn't mind torturing 'Mad Dog'.
Pic of Hirohito and Queen Elizabeth in 1971:
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/queen-elizabeth-and-emperor-hirohito-everett.html
They didn't mind torturing 'Mad Dog'..... Shriver?
ReplyDelete======================
Never saw that picture before. Thanks.