Q&A · 31:31-33:44

A Pacific without the Washington Treaty's fortification limits

Removing the treaty ban on new western Pacific fortifications produces intensive American and Japanese base construction without making exposed Guam easy to defend.

Question

What if the Washington Naval Treaty did not restrict further fortification in the western Pacific?

Short answer

The United States and Japan would fortify their island bases heavily, though Guam would remain difficult to defend; Japan might also gain cheaper concrete and stronger domestic infrastructure.

Notes

Removing the restriction would prompt much more American and Japanese construction at western Pacific bases. Guam remains difficult to defend even with extensive fortifications. American construction is also suggested as a possible public-works project during the New Deal. Japan would reinforce the former German islands it had acquired. Expanding concrete production for those bases could lower the cost of civilian infrastructure in Japan and improve domestic resilience.