All Segments
Was The War Against Japan Avoidable? - Sarah Paine
5 segments available
Episode 2, 'Why Japan Lost,' comes out tomorrow!
Segments Timeline
The Oil Embargo Dilemma
Sarah Paine discusses the implications of America's oil embargo against Japan and how it led to a total war. She highlights the strategic miscalculations made by the U.S. and the broader international system's stakes, emphasizing that the conflict was not solely about Japan but also about maintaining global order.
"basically America puts in this oil embargo and knows that the outcome of failed negotiations on getting rid of that embargo is a total World War of this kind and it's not even for the main strategic o..."
Japan's Internal Struggles for Peace
In this segment, Paine explores the internal factions within Japan that sought peace and how American concessions could have influenced their stance. She recounts the tragic fate of Takahashi Korekiyo, a key figure advocating for cooperation with the international system, and the consequences of his assassination.
"this is what the Japanese are saying it's like why would the Americans care about this Americans care deeply about the International System and it's also like why why not let the Russians eat all of U..."
The Pivotal Decision of War
Paine reflects on the critical decisions made by Japanese leaders leading up to the war with America. She discusses the inevitability of conflict given the military's dominance and the failure to provide sufficient face-saving options for peace, ultimately leading to Japan's tragic path.
"Takahashi corio is Japan's longest suring Finance Minister and he was a very distinguished man in fact he brought the Japanese economy out of the Great Depression before uh anyone in the west was doin..."
Counterfactuals and Historical Lessons
This segment delves into the counterfactuals surrounding America's actions before the war. Paine questions whether different choices could have altered the outcome and discusses the complexities of historical decisions, emphasizing the importance of understanding these lessons for future international relations.
"pivotal decision is once you've made it there's no going back to the way the world was and Japan it lost too many people and uh there are too many figures in the Army it's um we think that it's an ine..."
The Moral Quandary of Oil
Paine addresses the moral implications of the oil embargo and Japan's entitlement to resources. She debates whether the U.S. should have provided oil to Japan and the potential outcomes of such a decision, highlighting the intricate balance between moral considerations and strategic interests in wartime.
"International System and the Nazis were gearing up because eventually they're going to fight us to keep pushing back on this the I don't have an answer I've given you what little I can think but I hey..."