Q&A · 1:49:50-1:51:17

A Pacific war without a European war

Without a European conflict, Japan would face the combined weight of the Royal Navy and US Navy because neither ally could leave the postwar settlement to the other.

Question

How would the Pacific War change if Europe did not enter a general war?

Short answer

Japan would face both the full Royal Navy and US Navy because Britain and America each needed influence over the postwar Far East.

Notes

If Germany and Italy remained out of war, Britain could direct far more of the Royal Navy toward the Pacific. The United States would still enter the struggle with its own expanding fleet. Neither power could allow the other to defeat Japan alone because the victor would dominate the postwar Far East. Japan would face an Anglo-American coalition, probably joined by Dutch, French, and possibly Italian forces.