In practice American policy toward East Asia has been characterized by contradictions and inconsistencies. But it is clear particularly in retrospect that American ideals, however imperfectly applied, contributed to the development of myths about the conduct of relations, especially with China, Japan and the Philippines, that have had a profound influence on the conduct of policy. Since most of the race of Asia was subject to European colonial rule until after the Pacific War, the United States had few opportunities to develop relations there, let alone to cultivate myths about those countries.