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3 PAPER 1 PRACTICE: US A’S ACTIONS WITH REGARD TO JAPAN, 193 0–41
1.3 Paper 1 practice: USA’s
actions with regard to Japan,
1930–41
The full mark scheme for the final document
question on pages 77–78 is given below. Compare
your answers to this mark scheme.
First question, part a – 3 marks
According to Stimson in Source A, why should the
USA not directly intervene in the Manchurian crisis?
●● He does not want the USA to appear “hasty” in
taking a position.
●● He believes that Japan did not intend to break
international treaties and that the Japanese
government is probably “embarrassed”.
●● He believes that the resolution of the crisis
rests with Japan.
First question, part b – 2 marks
What is the message of Source B with regard to
the USA’s isolationist position?
●● There are two opinions in the US – for and
against isolationism.
●● Isolationism, which is shown as a serpent, is
crushing all US opinion and making it difficult
for the USA to take any action at all.
You can find the full meaning of this cartoon
on this website:
http://hccl.byu.edu/macfarlane/
OGCMA/0625NOTLaocoon_Berryman.pdf
Second question – 4 marks
With reference to origin, purpose and content,
assess the values and limitations of Source C
for historians studying the reasons for the USA’s
isolationist position in the 1930s.
Values
●● The origin of this source is valuable as the
author was a key player in the development
of US policy towards Japan – indeed, his name
was given to the policy of non-recognition.
The date makes it of value as it is in 1947 and
so Stimson has had a chance to reflect on
what went wrong in the 1930s.
●● The purpose is to evaluate the USA’s actions
in the 1930s; Stimson may be more objective
as his analysis could inform future decision
making.
●● He is critical of US actions at the time and this
suggests an open-minded consideration in
policies he was personally involved with.
Limitations
●● Regarding origin, Stimson was so close to the
actions of the time that his view may be based
only on his personal perspective.
●● Regarding purpose, he may be attempting to
put himself in a better light with regard to the
decisions that were made in the context of the
war and post-war period.
●● The dramatic language may also suggest
exaggeration.
Third question – 6 marks
Compare and contrast the view expressed in
Source A and Source C regarding the USA’s
response to the Manchurian crisis?
Comparisons
●● Both sources mention that the Kellogg-Briand
Pact had been broken and this was condemned
by the USA.
●● Source A advocates taking no action against
Japan and this is supported by Source C saying
that the US gave only “moral condemnation”.
Contrasts
●● Source A justifies why no action should be
taken against Japan but Source C condemns
this lack of action.
●● Source A says the situation can be sorted out
by Japan, whereas Source C says it should
have been sorted out by the USA.
●● Source A says that Japan did not intend to be
an aggressor, but Source C is clearly says that
Japan was an aggressor.
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●● Source A says that situation is of concern to
many nations but Source C focuses only on
the reaction of the USA and implies that the
USA alone is responsible for inaction.
Fourth question – 9 marks
Using the sources and your own knowledge
assess the reasons for the USA’s change of attitude
towards Japan between 1931 and 1941.
These are the points that you could find in the
sources to help you answer the question:
Source A In 1931 the USA is anxious to avoid
involvement in international affairs.
The USA sees Japan in a favourable
light.
Source B By 1938 there is strong division of
opinion in the USA over what action
to take but the policy of isolationism is
making it difficult for the president to
take action.
Source C The USA in the 1930s was out to avoid
war – and prepared to do anything to
keep out of a war.
Source D The massacres of Nanjing and the
sinking of the USS Panay helped to
change attitudes.
There were growing movements in the
US to boycott Japanese goods.
Below are the points that you could bring in from
your own knowledge:
●● Roosevelt could not intervene in the 1930s
due to Neutrality Acts even though he had
sympathy with the Chinese position. His
hands were also tied by the isolationists.
●● The actions of Japanese changed US opinion –
as well as the Rape of Nanjing, these included
Japanese actions after 1938 and its wish to
create a “a new world order”.
●● In Europe the position regarding the victories
of Nazi Germany, and the Tripartite Pact,
was changing.
●● Japanese expansionism was taking place in
South East Asia.
●● Another factor was the attack on Pearl Harbor
7th December, 1941.