Would anyone please be able to check this essay scaffold and suggest what I could do a third paragraph on?
– Japanese foreign policy 1937–1941 (ACHMH144)
To what extent was Japanese foreign policy from 1937 to 1941 responsible for the increasing tensions that eventually led to war?
Thesis: To a large extent, Japanese foreign policy was responsible for the increasing tensions that led to war, as it was their nationalism that imperialistic actions that led to US and British embargoes, causing Japan to require natural resources on top of their initial nationalistic desire to eliminate US opposition and prove themselves equal to the West.
Para 1: Japanese nationalism
-Asia for Asians
-Versailles didn’t acknowledge Japan as they wished – Japan wanted racial equality in the Treaty but was declined by the Allies - angered by this, Japan wanted to restore pride and prove that they were equal to the West
-Wanted to build the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
-Japanese foreign policy served the best interests of Japan without consideration for other nations - led them to invade China and Indochina - this caused tensions to increase
Para 2: Japanese imperialism and US/British policies
-Japan’s invasions of China and Indochina created tensions because China and Indochina were Allied ally's – thus the Allies wanted to protect/help them, [causing tensions to rise due to the fighting]
-Japan invaded China (1937)
-Japan invaded northern Indochina (September 1940) - caused US to place an embargo on all steel and iron
-Japan invaded southern Indochina (July 1941) - caused US and Britain to issue an oil embargo and freeze all Japanese assets
-Japan relied on the US for 80% of its oil, - thus the embargo meant Japan was lacking in oil and needed to either withdraw from China and Indochina or attack other nations to gain resources e.g., Dutch East Indies, which was rich in oil
-Demonstrates how although the US and British policies spurred on Japan to invade other countries to gain resources, if Japan hadn’t imperalised into China and Indochina, the policies wouldn't have been issued and thus tensions wouldn’t have risen as much
Para 3: ?
Sorry It's not very good - appreciate any feedback!