Causes, events and consequences of the Manchurian crisis Flashcards
Facts about Japan in the 1920s-30s
Japan
In theory, a democratic monarchy with a divine Emperor but actually an oligarchy ruled by the military.
Massive economic growth but no resources
ambitions for an empire: the army and navy wanted conquests: GREATER EAST ASIAN CO-PROSPERITY SPHERE.
on Britain’s side in WW1 but now cut loose
America and Japan have clashing interests in the Pacific.
Threat to China, Britain’s Empire in the East (Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaya, India, Burma, Australia), possible threat to France (Indo China), Netherlands (Indonesia)
Background of the invasion of Manchuria
- World economy was badly damaged by the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the Depression.
- Japan could not afford to import food. Japanese industrial production and employment fell by 30% between 1929 and 1931.
- The depression gave Japanese army leaders the chance to voice their opinions to a sympathetic people unhappy at the way in which Japan was being treated by the other powers.
Japan and Manchuria
- Already considerable Japanese influence in Manchuria. Most significantly, it possessed raw materials such as coal and iron-ore which Japan lacked.
- Japanese owned the South Manchurian Railway which they saw as an opportunity to seize full control of Manchuria whilst the Chinese were unable to act.
- In September 1931, an explosion occurred on the South Manchurian Railway just outside the city of Mukden.
- The Japanese claimed that this was sabotage by the Chinese who wanted to be rid of the Japanese. Chinese army in the area claimed that all their soldiers were in the barracks.
Invasion and control
- Japanese turned events to their advantage and claimed that the Chinese had sabotaged the line.
- This was an excuse for a Japanese takeover which took place within months and Chinese forces were forced to withdraw.
- In February 1932, the Japanese set up a puppet government in Manchuria – very much under Japanese control. The area was renamed Manchukuo and the last Emperor was put in control.
How did the League of Nations respond?
- China appealed to the League rejecting the Japanese claim that it was taking control of Manchuria because it was getting ‘out of hand’.
- League had to act carefully. There was some truth in the Japanese argument and Japan was a leading League member with a permanent seat on the Council.
- It did appear that the Japanese army had used military aggression to achieve its objective.
- League told Japan to withdraw its troops from Manchuria. Instead, the Japanese gained firmer control by taking over more territory.
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How did Britain respond?
- The only major power with a significant stake in the Far East
BUT had no means of action since successive governments had postponed building up the naval base at Singapore. - There was also a realization that condemning Japan would only put her at odds with Britain.
- The Labour Party proposed a ban on supplying arms to either side, both China and Japan, a proposal accepted by the National Government.
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What was the Lytton Report?
- The League set up a Commission of Inquiry under Lord Lytton. It was sent to the area to gather information and produce a report.
- The report was not published until September 1932 – a full year after the initial incident.
- Whilst accepting that some of the Japanese grievances may have been justified, the report most definitely supported China.
What were the outcomes of the Manchuria crisis?
- The Japanese response was simple – they ignored the report and left the League in March 1933.
- Economic sanctions under the authority of the League would arguably have proved to be ineffective, particularly as the United States was not a member.
- Britain was frightened to take further action fearing damage to British trade in Asia. The League and its leading members were therefore seen as powerless to act against aggressive dictators.
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