What is Britain had not entered WWII

[Seamus Fermanagh]

That's different than what the discussion topic suggests...that Britain does not enter the war at all. I can't see that happening, but Britain suing for peace after Dunkirk is certainly within the realm of possibility.

I thought I addressed that. I was pointing out how a British DoW might have been found underwhelming by AH in terms of influencing his decision (which was the Brit intent behind the declaration of support for Poland), since he really thought he would win on the continent and England would bow out rather than keep up the fight against such odds. The not entering the war angle, as I said, would have been both France and England not guaranteeing Poland. I cannot see either government making such a statement solo at that juncture.

However, there's still the Far East, and Japan is going to eliminate Singapore when it takes the DEI...they simply have to for strategic reasons. Then what? Granted the alliance between Germany and Japan was mostly a paper affair, but what does Germany do when Britain is forced to declare war on Japan? I can't see them not doing anything to hold up their end of the alliance

I have to agree here. Had Malaya been independent the Japanese might have bypassed Singapore and Hong Kong in favor of the DEI only, but Malaya with its resources was always on their to do list. Since the Brits controlled it, they would have likely gone after it regardless.

However, it is not impossible that the entire Japanese attack would have been re-thought if Britain had NOT been at war in the West and DID ramp up forces, defenses, and RN deployment to Singapore. That is, as you will quickly note, a LOT of 'ifs.'

[ReluctantSamurai]

However, it is not impossible that the entire Japanese attack would have been re-thought if Britain had NOT been at war in the West and DID ramp up forces

After FDR's July 1940 embargo, what other course is available to the Japanese?

[Beskar]

After FDR's July 1940 embargo, what other course is available to the Japanese?

Not stab the sleeping giant in the eyes?

[ReluctantSamurai]

Given that Japan had only about 2yrs of oil reserves at that time, and that they had, as of 1941, military superiority, stabbing the "sleeping giant" in the eyes was practically the only recourse

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Given that Japan had only about 2yrs of oil reserves at that time, and that they had, as of 1941, military superiority, stabbing the "sleeping giant" in the eyes was practically the only recourse

I would add that their culture was as or more responsible though. Curtailing their activities in China and pulling back to Manchuria would, in some ways, have been a BETTER use of resources and would have likely cancelled the embargoes. 'Face' dictated that the Army simply could NOT do that and could not accept a slower approach to establishing their resource empire. It was the sense of insult engendered by US pressure as much as the economic impact of those sanctions that pushed an already militant government towards war.

[edyzmedieval]

Quite difficult not to get into it, given the geographical proximity. And simply ignoring the treaties signed with Allies would have been a no-no.

[ConjurerDragon]

Quite difficult not to get into it, given the geographical proximity. And simply ignoring the treaties signed with Allies would have been a no-no.

The western allies did exactly that at the start of WW2 by not immediately entering the war and starting an offensive into Germany within 3 weeks as Gamelin had promised the polish.

When we are in "what if"-land the western allies could simply have told Poland honestly that there is no way that they would be able or willing to do that and that Poland would fight alone for at least a month, or - after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact - not before Poland would be completely occupied.

In that case the misguidedly stubborn polish government might be more willing to accept the german offer to accept the annexation of the Free City of Danzig (which was no part of Poland) and the connection of Germany with it’s enclave Eastern Prussia by a new Autobahn in addition to a renewal of the german-polish nonaggressionpact and to join the anticomintern-pact.

As the UK only guaranteed the existance of Poland, in that case the UK could stay out of a war with Germany without breaking their word.

And if the US and the western allies would have lifted the embargo against Japan for a withdrawal from China proper (not Manchuria or the former german colony in Tsingtao that they gained after WW1) then Japan could have decided to go north instead of south once Germany attacks the USSR - a decision that was vividly discussed in Japan.