Why did United States choose conflict with Japan over China ?
Especially from 1937 (2nd Sino-Japan war) compared with 1894 (1st Sino-Japan war which basically were an conflict about influence and control in Korea.)
Compared with the Boxer rebellion and the allied forces behavior in Beijing (looting the imperial palace and burning it down.) Together with the very strong anti-Chinese sentiments in the US after the end of 1800's (Workingmen's party of California).
My thinking is that until the 2nd Sino-Japan war, taking over parts of China were basically the goal of every Western country including the United States. So what changed the ideology in the US towards Japan behaving in this way (or did it really change)?
Could one such reason be because FDR, a Democrat was in the White house after a string of Republican presidents (except for Wilson)?