U.s. Public Opinion On U.s. Policy In East Asia

American foreign policy making is a complicated process, in which many elements interact with each other. American foreign policy is the result of both the change of international situation and restraints of variety of domestic elements. Among these, public opinion is of vital importance. Public opinion has been a significant variable to influence American political life since American bipartisan system was established. Its role in the American foreign policy making process cannot be ignored. Western scholars haven't arrived at consensus about whether public opinion should have impact on American foreign policy. Some scholars, like Lippmann, Almond and Hans Morgonthau, etc., believe that American government ought not to take public opinion into consideration in that the public are uninformed, unstable and volatile. However, Bailey, Markel, Sobel, Hoslti and so on question their realistic views.They hold liberal views about public opinon and suggest that when making decision, government take into account public opinons about foreign affairs, althouth public opinions are not accordant and coherent.The thesis, based on correspongding theories of international relations and definition, analysis, comparison and interpretation of public opinion, mainly discusses its influence on American Eastern Asian policy (Far Eastern Policy) from 1931 to 1941. Meanwhile, this thesis also specifies the subjects of public opinion, interaction between these subjects and government and its influencing position. However, in different period, public opinion's influence demonstrates different trends. When Manchurian Crisis broke out, the United States was deeply sunk into global economic crisis. Although China's image in the eyes of Americans changed a little, the attitude of the media and pacifists toward Japan's aggression swung between sanction and appeasement. Moreover, isolationists contributed a great deal to this attitude. As a result, Hoover's administration adopted policy of Non-recognition, which in essence was Non-Participation.In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt came into power. This was the first time for Democrat to take office after the First World War, which made the Administration's Limited Involvement policy possible. The economy of US was then not recovered and American people's main concern was not to be involved in the Far Eastern conflict. Therefore, with the promotion of pacifists and isolationists, US passed Neutrality Act. However, interest groups, like the Silver Bloc and communities of cotton and wheat producers attached great importance to markets in China to consume their productions. Meanwhile, Japan's aggression in North China angered American people. These combined pushed the government to limitedly involve into Far Eastern issues.In 1937, Roosevelt again won the election and started his second-term presidency. Since both Europe and Asia faced serious situation, American people were worrying about whether US would fall into European and Asian wars at the same time. However, isolation was still in blossom, and some pacifists organized campaigns to prevent US from involving into any war. But what's worth mentioning was that Japan's bombing Guangzhou and other cities of China and the outbreak of the Second World War stirred up American people's discontent and fear. Public opinion changed dramatically. Meanwhile, President Roosevelt interacted with the public through fireside talk, press conference and so on to win the public support. According to Gallup polling, majority of subjects agreed to sanction Japan and aid China. Although Japan strongly protested America's harsher policy toward it, Roosevelt's Administration adhered to accelerating its sanction range until oil export to Japan was prohibited. After Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan, Roosevelt declared war against it. Thus, the US was totally involved in Far Eastern issues.The analysis in this thesis shows that there is close accordance and associativity between public opinion and American Far Eastern policy from 1931 to 1941. The impact of public opinion on American foreign policy is objective and comprehensive. From 1931-1941, American Far Eastern policy changed from Non-Recognition (it is, in essence, a Non-Participation policy) to Limited Involvement, and in the end to Total Involvement. In this process, Roosevelt's Administration was influenced by public opinion all the time.