WI Imperial Japan had attacked NEIs only?

Were Japan to attack the Netherlands East Indies, a British declaration of war would have followed quickly.

Churchill would almost certainly have tried to elicit a U.S. declaration of war, too, from Roosevelt. That, however, is considerably less likely; isolationist sentiment remained considerable in Congress, and there would be little enthusiasm for defending a European colonial possession.

The problem, however, is what the U.S. *would* do instead. Roosevelt would sever diplomatic relations and do everything else short of war; and he would work feverishly to beef up U.S. forces and facilities in the Philippines, Guam, and Wake, put all U.S. forces on full war footing, and accelerate military acquisitions at full throttle. And when the U.S. *did* come in later in 1942, Japan will be facing a a U.S. sitting (in the P.I.) right astride its SLOCs to its oil in SE Asia, and very difficult and expensive to neutralize.

I think a DEI adventure by the Japanese in, let's say late 1940, brings a US declaration of war.

The U.S has enormous financial interests in the DEI oil industry and would never let these fall into the hands of Japan. Japan's possession of the NEI also destroys an oil embargo, cutting off any material way of hurting Japan and slowing their progress in China.
 
Five hundred plus aircraft, a functional air defense system, 20+ S boats with the older reliable torpedos, key parts of the logistics problems taken care of, peace time attitudes fading rapidly. The list goes on & on. Delaying the US entry only a couple weeks waives away much of Japans advantage of 7 December & suprise.

Assuming USA does declare war. All this assumption is based on a Gallup survey which hasnt been proven to be scientifically represent the voting representation of the USA.

Besides, will congress declare war that fast like OTL? Absent of Pearl harbor can Congress really passed that efficiently a declaration of war? Do they have the numbers to pass declaration of war?
 
I think a DEI adventure by the Japanese in, let's say late 1940, brings a US declaration of war.

The U.S has enormous financial interests in the DEI oil industry and would never let these fall into the hands of Japan. Japan's possession of the NEI also destroys an oil embargo, cutting off any material way of hurting Japan and slowing their progress in China.
Bigger effects than that, in 1940 Britain wasn't fully committed in North Africa, and so could send forces east.
 
Besides, will congress declare war that fast like OTL? Absent of Pearl harbor can Congress really passed that efficiently a declaration of war? Do they have the numbers to pass declaration of war?

So US imposes sanctions on Japan in order to limit their access to oil, specifically making sure that the Dutch play along.

Japan blatantly cheats on this by occupying the Dutch territory and gaining access to this oil.

As every possible economic sanction has already been imposed on Japan, what else can US do to limit the Japanese aggression?

From there on, it could only be military steps. US did not hesitate to take over Iceland and Greenland. Here, they would probably make a deal with the British to position their forces to select British positions in Western Pacific, plus send their fleet to any available base in vicinity.
 
Assuming USA does declare war. All this assumption is based on a Gallup survey which hasnt been proven to be scientifically represent the voting representation of the USA.

Multiple surveys, taken in multiple locations, over the course of a year. In any case the citizens dont get to vote directly on this... the several polls show the US public had long accepted the idea that we would be at war, & sooner rather than later. Equally important is the polls show a strong and growing support for Britain, a sentiment that connects to a Japanese attack cutting directly into two important US trading partners in the Pacific.

... Besides, will congress declare war that fast like OTL? Absent of Pearl harbor can Congress really passed that efficiently a declaration of war? Do they have the numbers to pass declaration of war?

Cant say how fast. The numbers were close & closing in October/November. Previously Congress had passed the War Powers Acts, as a result of France collapsing. Those had enourmous economic, social, and poltical consequences, but they passed. The Atlantic Exclusion Zone & Nuetrality Patrols were supported. The US occupation of Iceland was not opposed. The embargos were supported by the Congress. Their economic effect was a devastating as a DoW, for the US as well as Japan but they were supported.
 
So US imposes sanctions on Japan in order to limit their access to oil, specifically making sure that the Dutch play along.

Japan blatantly cheats on this by occupying the Dutch territory and gaining access to this oil.

As every possible economic sanction has already been imposed on Japan, what else can US do to limit the Japanese aggression?

Establsish a Nuetrality or military exclusion zone outwards from the PI and attack the Japanese violating it ;)

From there on, it could only be military steps. US did not hesitate to take over Iceland and Greenland. Here, they would probably make a deal with the British to position their forces to select British positions in Western Pacific, plus send their fleet to any available base in vicinity.

The plan to occupy the Azores & other Portuguese islands should be included. As well as plans for French territories in the Americas.
 
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