Battle of Guam

The Conflict

Prelude

Japan had been attempting to increase their military passed the constraints of the Great Treaty. This included entering the Russo-German War on the side of the German Empire. Invading Manchuria, Japan fought primarily in China against the Russian Empire. With their victory, Germany agreed to renegotiate the terms, allowing for Japan to have a stronger military.

America saw this with great caution, believing Japan and their declared Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere would eventually threaten the west coast, including California. Therefore, the two nations agreed to the Japanese-American Naval Treaty, limiting the navy size of each nation. While this was celebrated in America, Japanese officials were indignant.

Viewing this as yet another unequal treaty, Japan began to increase their production of warships, particularly battleships and aircraft carriers, past the agreed limit. In order to circumvent this, they sold the ships to other members of the GEACSP, though they remained under Japanese command. America was furious, and began to increase their naval size in response.

Germany began to share American concerns, particularly in their holdings next to Papua. However, their tensions against Great Britain forced them to neglect projection to their Asian holdings. As a result, Germany agreed to lease the island of Guam to the Americans. Japan warned this would be viewed as an act of aggression, and would force retaliation.