us_ch8_webquest-japan-us-response

=**U.S. Response**=

The U.S. was in the Great Depression and in a state of islationism as a policy. In addition, the U.S. was putting in place its disarmament measures while at the same time being tied down in meaningless agreements with Japan, while the Japanese secretly built their navy. The American left-wing (progressives and liberals) pushed policies of isolation. FDR, concerned with re-election rather than military preparedness, continued the isolationist and disarmament policies.

General **William "Billy" Mitchell**... ...had been one of the most outspoken proponents of air power over navies since the 1921 Washington Conference. Mitchell showed how a battleship could be sunk by a bomber aircraft. However, most admirals thought it was impossible and even after he demonstrated, most admirals still thought it was a trick. Mitchell continued to speak out on air power over naval power. After the government failed to provide weather stations after a blimp was struck by lightning, Mitchell made comments that got him court-martialed. At his court-martial, he outlined how air attacks could destroy the navy and used as an example the Japanese Empire attacking the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. Japan took notes and the actual attack in 1941 had an eerie resemblance. By the time of his death in 1936, few besides Mitchell recognized the danger and threat of Japan.

Back to web quest main page