DBWI Russia declares war on Japan

There was an agreement during world war two that the Soviets would declare war on the Japanese when the german issue was dealt with. With the defeat of Germany the soviets renegged on this deal and did not declare war on the Japanese empire, or send troops or intelligence. When the soviets demanded that Korea be split in half and Manchuria hand over to soviet adminstration Truman was ready to tell them to go to hell.

The compromise led to Manchuria being handed over and the US adminstrating the whole of Korea, some credit this decision as being the event that led to the cold war, some say that the cold war was envitable, but what if the Russians had honored their promise to declare war on Japan how would the world look today.
 
Well, if the Soviets had declared war on Japan, Japan would surely have surrendered and the invasion of Kyushu would not have been neccesary. This, of course, would have prevented so many more casualties and no need for more nuclear bombs upon Japan, saving the country from the total destruction it is still recovering from. It would allow Japan to be rebuild back to their former glory, a good ally for the USA against the Soviets and probably an economic powerhouse.

Manchuria would have been given to the Communist Chinese though, that would surely have a major impact on the Chinese Civil War, since the Americans didn't allow any communist forces to enter Manchuria when Japan surrendered it to them and the Nationalist forces were able to secure it against the forces of Mao.

Korea would also be in danger of being invaded by communist forces and possibly be much less powerfull economically and militarily if the US wouldn't be able to secure the region as quickly and cleanly as it did. Korea could be much like Japan is now, still recovering or potentially even split up.

I'd say it would have severely strengthened the Communist threat in Asia and the cold war would be even hotter.
 
Why would the Japanese surrender before the Invasion of Kyushu? They certainly didn't surrender during the Invasion of Kyushu in the Japanese Home Islands...they only surrendered once Osaka fell and the Allied troops were on their way to Kyoto.
 
Why would the Japanese surrender before the Invasion of Kyushu? They certainly didn't surrender during the Invasion of Kyushu in the Japanese Home Islands...they only surrendered once Osaka fell and the Allied troops were on their way to Kyoto.

because they would have been attacked on 2 sides and they feared being invaded by the Soviets. They had no means to defend an invasion from the north, all was focussed on the South.
 
While Stalin refusing to declare war on Japan is often portrayed as a blunder, because it means he missed out on the chance to spread Communism in East Asia, it probably got him a more favorable settlement in Europe. With so much of the American -and also the British- military tied up fighting the Japanese, Truman and the British leaders were willing to make concessions in the final settlement n Europe.

The Americans and their allies were originally supposed to get occupation zones in Berlin and Vienna as well. That obviously didn't happen. They also might have prevented Tito taking Trieste, though in the end this didn't help Stalin, and the eventual formation of the Democratic Republic of Austria, though at least they were able to add the Tyrol to Bavaria. Also, more sadly, they handed back Soviet POWs in the western zones to Stalin, to meet with horrible fates.
 
While Stalin refusing to declare war on Japan is often portrayed as a blunder, because it means he missed out on the chance to spread Communism in East Asia, it probably got him a more favorable settlement in Europe. With so much of the American -and also the British- military tied up fighting the Japanese, Truman and the British leaders were willing to make concessions in the final settlement n Europe.

The Americans and their allies were originally supposed to get occupation zones in Berlin and Vienna as well. That obviously didn't happen. They also might have prevented Tito taking Trieste, though in the end this didn't help Stalin, and the eventual formation of the Democratic Republic of Austria, though at least they were able to add the Tyrol to Bavaria. Also, more sadly, they handed back Soviet POWs in the western zones to Stalin, to meet with horrible fates.

OOC: Dude, you do know the invasion of manchuria happened 3 months after the German surrender right? Most of the troops at the Manchurian border were there for defense, and not needed to be pulled out to fight in Europe. The increase of forces were forces brought all the way back from Europe(half at least). In what way could the USSR have advanced more in Europe without invading Manchuria? The original force at Manchuria was a lot smaller, if they had taken that to Europe, they would have gotten further, but have exposed the east to attack by Japan. No, the forces in the east meant for defense would have stayed.
 
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OOC: In response to Lionhead, the problem for the Americans and British are that, based on what the other posters are saying, they still have to invade Japan. The Red Army can pull off invading West Germany and Manchuria at the same time, and IOTL this course of action was considered. The Americans and British would have a very hard time defending against the Red Army and pulling off Olympic/ Coronet. Of course they have the A-bombs. IITL they let the Soviets take a little more in Europe than had originally been bargained for.
 
OOC: I am of the school of thought that the A bombs really did produce the Japanese surrender and it wasn't the Soviet invasion, but there is room for argument and I will go along with the earlier posters.
 
OOC: In response to Lionhead, the problem for the Americans and British are that, based on what the other posters are saying, they still have to invade Japan. The Red Army can pull off invading West Germany and Manchuria at the same time, and IOTL this course of action was considered. The Americans and British would have a very hard time defending against the Red Army and pulling off Olympic/ Coronet. Of course they have the A-bombs. IITL they let the Soviets take a little more in Europe than had originally been bargained for.

OOC: Actions in the pacific didn't affect action in Europe. the Americans had plenty of resources to do operation downfall without cutting into the advances in Europe, that theatre was solid on its own. That the Red army would not retreat about 40 division out of Europe would have no impact on the Pacific theatre.

If you mean that the Soviet Union could pull off attacking the Allies in Europe and attack Manchuria at the same time you are wrong. Without forces from Europe they have no chance doing an offensive in Manchuria. Also, even if the USSR wouldn't pull out troops from Europe, the allies won't pull troops from the Pacific and place them in Europe to balance the number of divisions against the Red Army, since nobody but Churchill thought it a good idea to do operation unthinkable.

If the Soviet Union would not attack Japan then the allies will put every effort into defeating Japan themselves and only later concern themselves with the situation in Europe again. This will not help Soviet advances in Europe.
 
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