• Phoney War: A six-month period post Poland's invasion in 1939 where, despite Britain and France declaring war against Germany, not much active warfare occurred.

• Vichy France: Collaborationist French regime under Marshal Pétain that was sympathetic to the Axis powers.

• 🇵🇱 Poland's Rapid Fall: After Poland's invasion in September 1939, it was quickly defeated.
• 🇯🇵 Opportunity Knocks for Japan
  • Fall of France (June 1940) + Britain's apparent isolation = Golden chance for Japan in Far East!
  • Japan pressured Britain to close its supply route to China through Burma.
  • Vichy France = 😃 for Japan. Japan gets control over Indochina.
  • Hello Dutch East Indies! 🌴 Why? Oil, rubber, and tin!

Real-World Example: Imagine you're playing a board game (like Risk). While two big players are battling it out, another player sneakily captures territories, taking advantage of their distraction.

• 🇩🇪 German Conquests = Japan's Win
  • German dominance in Western Europe = More land and power opportunities for Japan.
  • Brought Japan nearer to forming an alliance with Axis powers (Germany, Italy).
• Japan's Power Squad (1940)
  • Prime Minister: Konoe
  • Foreign Minister: Matsuoka Yōsuke
  • War Minister: Tojo Hideki
  • Navy Minister: Yoshida Zengo

Matsuoka's Perspective: With Germany winning in Europe, an alliance could make the U.S. play nice with Japan.

• Japan's 1940 Strategy Board
  • BFFs with Germany & Italy 🤝
  • Establish the Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere (cool name for a New Order in Asia!)
  • A peace treaty with the Soviet Union.
  • Time to influence! Targets? British, French, and Dutch colonies in East Asia.
  • Plan: Befriend Jiang Jieshi and add China to the New Order.
• Japan, U.S., & Britain Love Triangle
  • Europe's mess deeply affected Japan.
  • The China Incident dilemma: Japan couldn’t wrap this up, causing friction with Britain and the U.S.