Show 65 - Supernova in the East IV

In part four of "Supernova in the East," Dan Carlin explores the complexities of morale in wartime, contrasting quantifiable war elements with the more elusive psychological aspects. He examines Franklin Delano Roosevelt's leadership in bolstering American morale after Pearl Harbor, including an analysis of his fireside chats and the impact of a Japanese submarine attack on the West Coast. Carlin delves into the moral dilemmas of wartime, particularly the violation of civil rights through the internment of Japanese Americans, and discusses the Doolittle Raid, weighing its morale boost against the retaliatory deaths of Chinese civilians. Finally, Carlin analyzes the command structure of the Japanese military, contrasting it with those of the Allied forces, and sets the stage for the Battle of Midway, highlighting the intelligence advantages and strategic decisions that would shape the conflict.