Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 28:44-29:37

Japan joining the Central Powers could bring America in sooner

A Japanese alignment with the Central Powers shifts the First World War into the Pacific and puts the American Philippines at risk.

Central PowersImperial Japanese NavyPhilippinesUS NavyWorld War I
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Question

What changes if Japan joins the Central Powers in the First World War?

Short answer

Britain faces a harder Pacific war, and a Japanese threat to the Philippines could pull the United States into the conflict earlier.

Notes

Japan joining the Central Powers would complicate British strategy in the Pacific. The American-held Philippines would be a plausible target for Japanese operations. That could bring the United States into the First World War earlier. Its fleet, however, is judged poorly configured for that Pacific conflict at the time.