Title Britain, Southeast Asia and the onset of the Pacific War / Nicholas Tarling

Published Cambridge [England] ; New York, NY, USA : Cambridge University Press, 1996

Copies

Location	Call no.	Vol.	Availability
MELB	940.5322 Tar/Bsa		AVAILABLE

Description xii, 434 pages : maps ; 24 cm regular print Contents Machine derived contents note: 1. Before September 1939 -- 2. September 1939-June 1949 -- 3. July-September 1940 -- 4. October 1940-June 1941 -- 5. July-December 1941 Summary 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 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 Analysis Asia, Southeastern Foreign relations Great Britain Asia, Southeastern History Great Britain Foreign relations Asia, Southeastern Great Britain History George VI, 1936-1952 World War, 1939-1945 Asia, Southeastern Notes CIP confirmed Includes index Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 421-426) and index Subject World War, 1939-1945 -- Diplomatic history. World War, 1939-1945 -- Southeast Asia. World War, 1939-1945 -- Southeast Asia. SUBJECT Asia, Southeastern http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85008627 -- Foreign relations http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh00005791 -- Great Britain. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79023147 Asia, Southeastern -- History. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85008630 Great Britain -- Foreign relations http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056684 -- Southeast Asia. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85008627 Great Britain -- History -- George VI, 1936-1952. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056829 LC no. 95042787 ISBN 0521553466 (hardback)

  Permalink