Britain, Southeast Asia and the Onset of the Pacific War (1996)

This book describes British policy in Southeast Asia in the early years of World War II. With its military strength directed against Germany, Britain drew on diplomatic resources to maintain its power in the area and to limit the Japanese threat. The book focuses on Britain's relations with America, Dutch India, the Philippines, French Indo-China and Thailand. Nicholas Tarling's extensive analysis of British archives, and documentary material on the foreign policies of other states makes this an important reinterpretation of the origins of the Pacific war. This book describes British policy in Southeast Asia between the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 and the opening of the Pacific war at the end of 1941. The British government sought to preserve the status quo. Yet it was difficult for Britain to retain its position as the major colonial power in Asia when it had to pursue its struggle with Germany. The book shows that, unable to maintain effective naval or air forces in the East, the British drew on diplomatic resources to achieve their aims. The British wanted to avert the military expansion of the Japanese and to limit their penetration of the area. They had increasingly to rely on the United States, but had little control over American policy. It is this context that the book focuses on Britain's relations with the Netherlands East Indies, the Philippines, French Indo-China and Thailand. Nicholas Tarling's extensive analysis of British archives, together with documentary material on the foreign policies of other states, makes this an important reinterpretation of the origins of the Pacific war, which turned a European war into a world war. It is also the first time that the region as a whole has been considered in this context, and the interconnectedness of events explored. As a substantial study in diplomacy it is pertinent, invoking issues of continuing relevance to readers in international relations. Specialists in modern British history, Asian history and the history of World War II will also find the book invaluable. This book describes British policy in South-East Asia in the early years of World War II. Britain, a major colonial power in Asia at this time, was unable to maintain its military dominance as war with Germany taxed its resources. Instead, Britain attempted to establish diplomatic dominance, trying to avert the Japanese military expansion and total penetration of Asia, and relying on the Americans to help. This book focuses in detail on Britain's wartime relations with Dutch India, the Philippines, French Indo-China and Thailand. It is an important reinterpretation of the origins of the Pacific War which escalated European conflict into a world war This book describes British wartime policy in South-East Asia. Unable to maintain dominance while at war with Germany, Britain, helped by America, tried to establish diplomatic dominance in opposition to Japan. This is a reinterpretation of the origins of the Pacific War and a useful study in diplomacy and foreign policy. This book, a reinterpretation of the origins of the Pacific war which escalated European conflict into a world war, focusses in detail on Britain's wartime relations with Dutch India, the Philippines, French Indo-China and Thailand

this Book Describes British Wartime Policy In Asia And The Struggle For Dominance Between Britain/america And Japan.

The war of 1939 was a European war; it did not become a world war until 1941.