Britain, Southeast Asia and the onset 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.