Abstain from War
You have decided to stay out of the war for the time being. You can help the democracies of European powers, but you will not provide official military aid. America remains technically neutral, yet its navy and air force escort British convoys and protect them from German submarines. Your commanders remain wary, but try to stay out of direct conflict.
Their dreams for nonviolence are crushed when the U.S.S. Greer is attacked by a German submarine, U-652, which is then accused of piracy. In September 1941, you order a ‘shoot on sight policy’ to be adopted by your naval commanders when dealing with these U-boats in light of the attack (The USS Greer is Fired Upon). Isolationist senators criticize you, as they feel that you are provoking skirmishes with the Germans (US Entry and Alliance). Winston Churchill persuades you to officially enter the war.
On the opposite side of the globe, Japan has been expanding its influence throughout the Pacific. Ever since Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, their relations with the United States have been tense. Tensions rose when Japan invaded French Indochina in 1940. You have tried to improve relations, but the Japanese War Minister, General Tojo, refused to compromise. In response to Japan’s aggression, the U.S. established an embargo on U.S. oil and gasoline exports to Japan (Events Leading to the Attack on Pearl Harbor).
On December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes attack Pearl Harbor. More than 2000 Americans are killed (The Pearl Harbor Attack). After this, only 1 congressman opposes war, with the senate unanimously agreeing to go to war (Pearl Harbor). You still have the power to stay neutral, as you alone control the military and the United States’ war actions. Will you stay out of the war and prevent the loss of American blood, yet risk the loss of the United States’ territories in the Philippines? Or will you join the war, defending the Philippines while risking defeat in the Pacific due to your loss of American military ships and airplanes at Pearl Harbor?
Their dreams for nonviolence are crushed when the U.S.S. Greer is attacked by a German submarine, U-652, which is then accused of piracy. In September 1941, you order a ‘shoot on sight policy’ to be adopted by your naval commanders when dealing with these U-boats in light of the attack (The USS Greer is Fired Upon). Isolationist senators criticize you, as they feel that you are provoking skirmishes with the Germans (US Entry and Alliance). Winston Churchill persuades you to officially enter the war.
On the opposite side of the globe, Japan has been expanding its influence throughout the Pacific. Ever since Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, their relations with the United States have been tense. Tensions rose when Japan invaded French Indochina in 1940. You have tried to improve relations, but the Japanese War Minister, General Tojo, refused to compromise. In response to Japan’s aggression, the U.S. established an embargo on U.S. oil and gasoline exports to Japan (Events Leading to the Attack on Pearl Harbor).
On December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes attack Pearl Harbor. More than 2000 Americans are killed (The Pearl Harbor Attack). After this, only 1 congressman opposes war, with the senate unanimously agreeing to go to war (Pearl Harbor). You still have the power to stay neutral, as you alone control the military and the United States’ war actions. Will you stay out of the war and prevent the loss of American blood, yet risk the loss of the United States’ territories in the Philippines? Or will you join the war, defending the Philippines while risking defeat in the Pacific due to your loss of American military ships and airplanes at Pearl Harbor?