A Brief Background for War
For centuries Asian products were desired, but one of the most profitable trade routes operated from India to China, introducing opium into that country. This market accounted for 20% of the British Empire’s revenue and was the basis of the Roosevelt family wealth.
Teddy Roosevelt, an aristocrat, was taught thru his youth and at Harvard, of Aryan supremacy in government and intellect. Columbia University professor John Burgess impressed him with white American world domination. With this ideology, he followed the European nations in absorbing colonies. He pushed for control of the Philippines where the American behavior was deplorable, but overlooked.
The U.S. Minister to Japan, DeLong, encouraged “General” Charles LeGendre to go to Japan and instruct them on invasion tactics and instigate his “Monroe Doctrine” for Asia. (Three decades later it would be known as the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere of WWII). When Japan invaded Manchuria, Roosevelt said, “I was thoroughly pleased with the Japanese victory for Japan is playing our game.” Although U.S. advisors assured Korea that America was their “Elder Brother,” in 1905 Roosevelt closed the embassy and said, “I should like to see Japan have Korea.” The Nobel prize committee did not know of his secret meetings with Japan during the Russo-Japanese War and gave him the Peace prize anyway.
Roosevelt had not only opened the door for Japan to conquer neighboring nations, he gave them the ideal instructor and plans to do it with. For detailed information see: The Imperial Cruise, by James Bradley.
If Congress discovered he had also sent pilots to Britain, Roosevelt said, “I will be impeached.”
Being that Japan found it necessary to import food, fuel and American plane parts, here was the edge that FDR needed to coax the U.S. public into war. When Germany failed to declare war, he froze Japan’s assets on July 26, 1941. Relations between Japan and the ABCD countries had basically reached a point of no return. The New York Times newspaper called this action, “…the most drastic blow short of war.”
The ABCD powers (American, British, Chinese & Dutch) followed suit and this became a choke chain around Japan’s neck which FDR jerked as he saw fit until Pearl Harbor exploded into a scene of destruction. This action not only got the U.S. into the war, but FDR made certain that the major effort would be to assist his friend Winston Churchill – not the Pacific.
For a more detailed look into the world that led into WWII, I have a 3-part ‘East/West series’ that starts here…
FDR cabled Philippine President, Manuel Quezon, “I can assure you that every vessel available is bearing the strength that will eventually crush the enemy… I give to the people of the Philippines my solemn pledge that their freedom will be retained… The entire resources in men and materials of the U.S. stand behind that pledge.”
Gen. George Marshall, FDR’s Army Chief of Staff, radioed MacArthur: ‘A stream of 4-engine bombers, previously delayed by foul weather, is enroute…Another stream of similar bombers started today from Hawaii…”
################################################################################################################
Political Humor –
################################################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Patricia Adams – Fitchburg, MA; Civilian, WWII, Civil Corps, plane spotter
Joseph Bange – Dayton, OH; US Army, WWII, ETO, Signal Corps
Robert Benden (101) – Brooklyn, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO, x-ray technician
Michael Glockler Sr. – Chicago, IL; US Army, Vietnam, Co. B/2/505/82nd Airborne Division, Bronze Star
Wilton Jackson (100) – Little River, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, Captain, 17th Bomb Group
Emil J. Kapaun – Pilsen, KS; US Army, Korea, Chaplain, 3/8/1st Cavalry Division, POW, Medal of Honor, KIA (Chinese Camp 5)
Frank Lopez – East Lost Angeles, CA; US Navy, WWII, PTO, aircraft maintenance
Kenneth “Rock” Merritt – Warner, OK; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, Sgt. Major, 82nd Airborne Division / Korea & Vietnam, Silver Star, (Ret. 35 y.)
Robert Renner – Wautoma, WI; US Army Air Corps, Japanese Occupation / US Army, Korea, 187th RCT
John Garvis Smith – Winston-Salem, NC; US Navy, WWII, USS Southerland
########################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Posted on March 15, 2021, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, Army, Corregidor, family history, FDR, History, MacArthur, Military History, Pacific, Pacific War, Politics, WW2. Bookmark the permalink. 168 Comments.
You are now dealing in forbidden authors, GP? But seriously, I didn’t know many of these facts, and they show a different picture from what we had been taught in the USSR.
LikeLiked by 4 people
A different picture than we are taught here as well. Sometimes you have to wait for data to emerge from the Archives before we discover the truth about many incidents.
LikeLiked by 4 people
That’s true, too.
LikeLiked by 3 people
There were some things here I didn’t know, so I went poking around a bit. One of the ‘delights’ I happened on was something Mark Twain said about Teddy Roosevelt: “[He was] clearly insane… and insanest upon war and its supreme glories.” I’ve known more about his role with the Rough Riders and his hunting exploits in Mississippi than his pre-WWII role. This was a very interesting post. I notice you’ve changed from ‘military’ to ‘political’ humor, too — and both cartoons are directly applicable today!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thanks for looking further into the history, Linda!
The political seemed to fit into the post better with the content and all. 🥴
LikeLiked by 3 people
I learn more about British history here than I did at school! These current threats of more new virus variants is just miserable. Although vaccines are going quite well and all the over 50’s I know have had their first jab now.
LikeLiked by 5 people
There are a lot of things we don’t learn in school and they exactly count on us not being bothered to do our own research.
I sure hope things continue to improve with the vaccinations and people’s safety. Hopefully you and George will be able to get back to your careers soon!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes not sufficient time, the history lessons I remember were The Tudors and Ireland but not modern war until advanced level then my younger brother did the World Wars. George has been practicing for months for a big piano competition at the end of April abroad but it was cancelled last week and the new date just happens to be our new wedding weekend 😐.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh No!! Do you think you could combine the wedding and competition for a honeymoon?
LikeLiked by 2 people
The final is on our wedding day.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Too bad the finalists couldn’t play at your wedding!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good idea 👍🏻
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh, my!
LikeLiked by 4 people
There are some things we just don’t learn in school.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Exactly!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for your like of my post, “Road To Tribulation 12 – The Stage Is Being Set;” you are very kind.
LikeLiked by 5 people
you are very welcome.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you very much. I can’t wait to read your next article.
LikeLiked by 4 people
A piece of history I didn’t know! Thank you for sharing this GP.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I appreciate your interest, Diane.
LikeLiked by 3 people
My grandmother said FDR got our boys at Pearl Harbor killed
LikeLiked by 5 people
I’m sorry to say, your grandmother was correct.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Thanks so much for this post. I have a couple of questions. Hadn’t U. S. intelligence been monitoring the military of imperial Japan since the early 1900s? I doubt that any of this post is inaccurate, but do you think that Japan would have considered it expedient and necessary to attack the U. S. anyway, the Roosevelt family’s attitudes and actions (or lack of actions) notwithstanding? Always look forward to your posts, GP.
LikeLiked by 5 people
They found it necessary to attack the U.S. because we had stopped supplying the natural resources we delivered for decades.
(I hope I fixed your double negative as you wished it to be).
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, GP. And thanks so much for the edit.
LikeLiked by 5 people
No problem, we all do the same as you.
LikeLiked by 3 people
A Chaplain who was awarded the Medal of Honour. Interesting.
LikeLiked by 5 people
He may also be awarded sainthood. In this post, if you scroll down, there is a link to Father Kapaun’s story. He was quite a man!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks GP.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Very interesting piece of history thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 5 people
We can’t change history, so we might as print the truth of what happened. Thanks for coming by.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very true
LikeLiked by 5 people
It seems a great deal of our pain is self-inflicted. Great post. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Indeed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We never really know what motivates people, be it world leaders or our friends.
LikeLiked by 6 people
We can never know exactly what is in someone’s mind, agreed, but we can know the facts before and after a decision.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Enlightening and sobering backstory to Pearl Harbor. Thank you for your mention of Fr. Kapaun. The identification of his remains not only brought comfort locally, but has also advanced him toward sainthood.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I sincerely hope that does become official. To me he is already a saint and I do believe God would approve.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Fascinating insights, GP. Thank you
LikeLiked by 4 people
Certainly, Derrick.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m not sure I understand all this. Are you saying that the US should not have entered WW2? And that Roosevelt just tricked the country into war with Japan?
Hitler, of course, declared war on the US himself, so there was no choice there.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Hitler did not declare war on the U.S. until 11 December, 4 days after Pearl Harbor. It is not up to me to say we should or should not have entered, I am stating the facts as they occurred. I do know I have a sour taste in my mouth that FDR knew Japan would attack and he allowed 2403 US citizens to die.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My dad served in the Philippines, but he really never said how and why he was there, nor how the islands ended up after the campaign was over.
LikeLiked by 6 people
They were pretty tore up. But, the jungles have made a comeback and cities have been rebuilt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So sad to know what our leaders will do to make them reach their goals. The cartoon about bewaring of the man who makes a fortune in the flood certainly reminded me of today’s world and those who are making a fortune during this pandemic.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I was wondering who would ‘get’ my little comparison there – I should have known it was you, Bev. You know me too well too! haha 🤓
LikeLiked by 4 people
I really shouldn’t be shocked at the deviousness of politcians in our history–but I was shocked by subject of this post.
LikeLiked by 5 people
I didn’t think this would be a popular post, but history is history.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It actually reminds me of an article I read years ago debunking the notion of World War II as a “good war” (as opposed to Vietnam, which was a “bad war”).
LikeLiked by 4 people
WWII had front lines, the home front working to help the effort and the military leaders were allowed to do what it took to win. Vietnam on the other hand was a political war, no front lines, no home front support and the military leaders were only allowed to do so much – so – it was impossible to win.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Thank you, John.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Great Story. I did not know this information about FDR. A real eyeopener for me. I suspect not for all. I will get the book The Imperial Cruise (J. Bradley). thanks GP for your wisdom and supporting the truth. Aside: England accepted opium in trade from China when they ran out of tea. Back in those day (I do not have exact dates) opium was used by the patrons during intermission at the opera house. (Stories from reliable friends in England). You can belive it or not.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Oh, I believe it. Remember – Coca Cola contained cocaine until 1929.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That I knew about. England traded opium with either China or Japan when they ran out of tea. Told by a British actor who was trying to quit smoking. ..cigarettes that is. (It was televised). I’m glad you wrote this story. It helps me put things in a better perspective. Thanks GP.
LikeLiked by 5 people
I’m glad to hear that. Usually when I write facts about people originally considered idols – well, it doesn’t always go over so well. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very informative. I think Teddy’s background would conclude that all Asians are the same and it really doesn’t matter who occupies whom when it comes to giving Korea away. You are right, Roosevelt has no excuse. Japnese internment was Ellenore’s idea.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I thought it was FDR’s friends in CA who wanted the land held by the Japanese farmers who pushed for it. They probably just got on the band wagon once the idea was brought up.
LikeLiked by 3 people
No I think my statement regarding Eleanor was incorrect. She was accused because she did not convince FDR to rescind the policy. She actually was against internment but FDR refused to discuss it with her. The idea that she was behind the scheme came from a speech I read where she seemed to blame the Japanese for their own problem which again was not true. So GP I take it back and I think your statement about the farmers is more correct. Sorry about my misleading statement.
LikeLiked by 5 people
No problem. You went back and researched the subject and I can’t ask for anymore than that!! 👍🧐
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, GP.
LikeLiked by 4 people
This was very interesting and much was not known (by me). Loved the cartoons 🙂
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thanks, Dan!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Really interesting. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 6 people
My pleasure. Just wanted to show what the world looked like when my father entered the Army.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Imperialism, excessive nationalism, greed, religion, and a bushel of other isms. It alway seems to me, G, that there are a lot more reasons for war than peace. –Curt
LikeLiked by 6 people
And now we have the forever wars scattered around the globe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, sigh. We haven’t quite matched the Hundred Years War between 1337 to 1453 but we are working on it in Afghanistan.
LikeLiked by 5 people
We certainly have a good start to that, eh? It looks like Biden wants to go back in too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
One would have thought that we would have learned a lesson form the Russians on that…
LikeLiked by 5 people
We always think we know better (the government, that is).
LikeLiked by 2 people
The horror of 9/11 caused a lapse in our judgement.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Or shook us up to reality.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, welcome to the modern world!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Quite startling info
LikeLiked by 6 people
I consider it sad. Just think of all the men who died because of it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The Roosevelt family is revered in Oyster Bay, where I came from. Nothing to tarnish that image! I did not know anything about the horrible things both TR and FDR did until I moved south and started reading. Even the Oyster Bay Historical Society, of which I was on the board, did not mention TR’s treatment of the Filipinos after the Spanish-American war. Everything is glossed over. FDR’s abandoning the troops in Bataan was so unconscionable, Both of them were as corrupt as the current politicians.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I have been partially accepting Teddy’s mistakes because of how he was raised and what society was like back over 100 years ago. BUT FDR has no excuse!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very interesting news, GP! Thank you very much, for the very interesting information! Alwas own, very special, and at least immoral interests are forcing people into wars. Have a good week! Michael
P.S.: We now should get the Vladimir-V, äh “Sputnik-V” vaccine. Lol As i had thought, a vaccine made in cooperation between the USA and the UK is bringing back evilst thoughts, to some of our “Germans”. Lol (Sarcasm out) Michael
LikeLiked by 5 people
No matter where the vaccine comes from, as long as it works – this world has to heal soon!!
Take care, Michael. I hope you and your family are staying safe!! 😷
LikeLiked by 2 people
They will have to post several footnotes at the foot of Mt. Rushmore before this is all over. Now which Roosevelt knew about the planned attack on Pearl Harbor ? Oh the first one just set the stage for it and helped set the gears in motion. There are many shades of gray to people. Teddy was no exception to being complex. Thanks GP
LikeLiked by 6 people
He was raised as an aristicrat, so many of his faux pas were engrained in him. FDR should have known better.
LikeLiked by 3 people
For sure, hidden things are going on behind the scenes before a war is declared. Teddy Roosevelt was one of my heroes; now I man not so sure anymore. I am still reading your book recommendation “Teddy Roosevelt” from Captivating History.
Thank you for your post on shining a light of truth on the background of the conflicts that led to war
LikeLiked by 6 people
No one is an angel, especially politicians in my book, but most of Teddy’s errs were basically due to his upbringing. That’s just how people thought back then.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are right; we can’t judge him by our standards today
LikeLiked by 4 people
I had no idea that President Roosevelt had such a sinister side to his character. A schemer on the world scene of the worst kind!
LikeLiked by 6 people
You would really fall off your chair if you ever read some of his and Eleanor’s scandal pages!! This stuff is nothing!
LikeLiked by 3 people
As always, great o hear more about the whys and whens. It was a very complex lead up to joining the war.
LikeLiked by 6 people
It makes me wonder what all these smaller forever wars are going to lead us into.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Interesting article. It’s been a long time since colonizing has been in vogue. Loved the humor about Dr. Seuss. Spot on.
LikeLiked by 6 people
True, Jacqui. The whole Dr. Seuss thing and now Disney in the act with “Dumbo”, “Peter Pan” and “Swiss Family Robinson”, have truly gotten my attitude in a knot. Just how much more censorship are we going to put up with?
LikeLiked by 3 people
More than I thought we would! There are models in history you are probably familiar with that didn’t end well.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Of course.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is sad how little we actually know about how the sausage gets made and what the motivations are. Thanks for providing this important background info.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Makes you wonder why we’re in so many forever wars nowadays.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Well, I’m not sure about the accuracy of the post, but the cartoon seems spot on.
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 6 people
What is it you are not sure about?
LikeLiked by 2 people
It strikes me that while most of us are not taught this, or encouraged to research it, the Chinese have long memories which does not bode well for peace in the Pacific today.
LikeLiked by 6 people
No, it does not. I think about that very thing most every day! Great comment, Helen. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There must have been another Roosevelt involved. “Teddy died in 1919; Japan invaded Manchuria September 19, 1931. His family settled in New York in the 17th century and most of the fortune was based on land holdings.
LikeLiked by 5 people
That was also part of it. Here is a quote from one of his biographers.
“Franklin’s Mother’s Family
Franklin’s mother’s family were the Delanos. Their wealth was several times as great as that of the Roosevelts’. The wealthiest member of the Delano family was Warren Delano, the father of Franklin’s mother, Sara. As a young man, Warren Delano apprenticed himself to importing firms in New York and Boston. At the age of twenty-four, he moved to Canton, China. There his amassed a considerable fortune exporting goods from China to the West and importing opium from India to China. Warren passed his wealth to his daughter, who brought it into her marriage to Franklin’s father. When Franklin’s father died, however, the Delano family money stayed under Sara’s control. During her lifetime, she doled it out out as she saw fit to Franklin’s family.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Most of Teddy’s personal income – as opposed to property – seems to have come from his royalties as a prolific writer.
LikeLiked by 4 people
He was a prolific writer, I sure have to give him that. I am not trying to say he was a bad person, that is just how they were raised back then. I have said repeatedly that we can not judge people back then with 21st Century eyes and ears.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We know the history is written by the victors many, many times. I enjoy reading “the stuff” not expressed in history classes. Always like to hear both sides. It matters.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Glad to hear that. My father always insisted that I hear all sides to any disagreement before making a judgement or conclusion.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Great story with a lot of facts I don’t know. Never hear that opium was the reason of the Roosevel famly fortune
LikeLiked by 6 people
They sure didn’t want that advertised.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting story, GP. Reminds me a lot of what has happened in the past few years here. I have read in several places the while Britain did not introduce opium to China, it certainly made its use cheaper and more widely spread which caused enormous problems for China. I also never knew that Opium was the source of the Roosevelt family fortune. At least we were taught something about American imperialism in history class.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Thank you for reading the article, Pat. I know it’s not exactly the most favorable post.
LikeLiked by 4 people
No, and it exposes more explanation on how/why we got into the war. It is also a different take on the more often asked question on whether Roosevelt knew about the impending attack on Pearl Harbor before it occurred. I wonder what today’s conspiracy theorists would have to say about that….
LikeLiked by 5 people
Today the myth of FDR being God is about accepted. New historians simply follow what was previously accepted by way of government press releases and accepted as truth.
LikeLiked by 3 people
There’s always some skullduggery behind it somewhere!
LikeLiked by 6 people
Yes, sad but true.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Great introduction GP. I have learned a few things especially this…
The U.S. Minister to Japan, DeLong, encouraged “General” Charles LeGendre to go to Japan and instruct them on invasion tactics and instigate his “Monroe Doctrine” for Asia. (Three decades later it would be known as the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere of WWII). When Japan invaded Manchuria, Roosevelt said, “I was thoroughly pleased with the Japanese victory for Japan is playing our game.” Although U.S. advisors assured Korea that America was their “Elder Brother,” in 1905 Roosevelt closed the embassy and said, “I should like to see Japan have Korea.” The Nobel prize committee did not know of his secret meetings with Japan during the Russo-Japanese War and gave him the Peace prize anyway.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Such facts are eliminated from school studies, aren’t they?!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Politics and dirty tricks
LikeLiked by 9 people
What else is new, eh Mike?
LikeLiked by 3 people
International relations and intrigue provide an overflowing supply of material for study. History is far more nuanced than most of us know.
LikeLiked by 7 people
School systems tend to just glaze over the facts. I remember myself, not getting the stories, just names and dates to memorize.
LikeLiked by 4 people
So true. Trying to summarize an entire history into the span of a semester is unwise.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Great history, GP. And it needs revisiting to understand the events leading to US involvement in WW2.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Thank you, Pete. It’s not good history, but it happened and there’s nothing I can do about that. I still think it’s best that people know the truth rather than believing the myths.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Agreed 100%, GP.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Sure does dim the glow of admiration.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Repeat a story often enough and people make it fact, but the truth comes out eventually.
Thanks for dropping in!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Very interesting.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Thank you, Vinny.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: A Brief Background for War – © blogfactory
Pingback: A Brief Background for War - The Washington County Auditor
Pingback: A Brief Background for War – Honiarastuff