A Harding administration that rejects the Washington settlement

This branch keeps the First World War close to its historical course but changes Harding's approach after taking office. It assumes that he rejects the agreements that produced the Washington naval settlement. The discussion distinguishes avoiding European obligations from abandoning American interests elsewhere. Its geographical examples include the Philippines, China, Japan, and the Dutch East Indies. The distinction concerns retaining the freedom to decide whether to enter a war instead of accepting an advance obligation to do so. A comparison with Switzerland emphasizes that a major power can avoid European commitments while retaining extensive interests beyond Europe.