As the exchange of threats between China and Japan continued, with each nation poised to invade Burma and start a war, the League of Nations rushed to resolve the conflict before it sparked into violence. The fascist nations pledged their support to Japan, mainly out of hatred for the communists, while the Soviet Union and Korea backed China. The Western powers attempted vainly to restore peace, but Japan issued an ultimatum to China to pull its forces out of Burma or it would attack. China responded scornfully and Japan was quick to declare war.
Of course, the massive array of alliances between the nations quickly brought others into the war. Soviet and Nazi armies smashed together along their border, while Japan and China traded air strikes and substantial assaults along the Burmese front. The now-impotent League of Nations threatened to use British and French forces to break up the fighting, but it was largely ignored by the warring power blocs. When Norway was dragged into the war by a Soviet offensive from former Finland, Sweden [alllied with the Western power bloc] became alarmed that its borders would be violated. These fears proved valid when the fighting spilled over onto Swedish territory. Sweden responded by attacking both sides, earning itself war against both Norway and the USSR. Britain, France, and the US were quick to come to aid Sweden.
The war quickly spread throughout Europe and South and East Asia. The African colonies were forced to develop industry to meet demands for raw materials from their parent country, and also fought wars between each other. Soon Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe were all embroiled in war. American industry helped to support the Allied forces, while the USA built up a strong military force to serve on the European and African fronts.
However, this left the Pacific coast largely undefended, most of the Pacific Fleet having been relocated to the Atlantic to prepare for overseas combat. Japan, China and the Soviets noticed this, but only the Soviets were preparing to act on it...
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