The Manchurian Crisis

Question 1

What were some successes of the League in the 1930s?

Answer 1

Success: commissions and committees.
Example: Saar commission and organized 1935 plebiscite in the Saar.

Minor disputes: Bolivia and Paraguay over Chaco.

Question 2

Why did Japan invade Manchuria?

Answer 2

Japan was weak in resources due to:
Lack of resources
Lack of trade/ exports
Growing population

Manchuria was appealing due to:
Resource-rich, minerals, raw materials
China was in chaos
They were already in Korea and had a trading route with Manchuria

Question 3

What was the attack on Manchuria?

Answer 3

Was an attack by the Japanese on the Chinese town Mukden in Manchuria.
Trading in Manchuria: Allowed Japanese troops

Chinese troops allegedly attacked the Japenese on the South Manchurian Railway in Mukden–starting a government Manchukuo

Done by the Kwutang Army, not the government.
Chinese appealed to the League– Moral condemnation
The bombing of Shanghai in 1932, killing civilians. In February 1933 instead of withdrawing from Manchuria, the Japanese started invading more of China and occupied the province of Jehol.

Question 4

What was the Leagues response to the crisis?

Answer 4

1. Avoiding the problem.– Assessment of situation– September 1932, Japan is guilty – Moral condemnation, asking to leave.
   Shows the weaknesses in the League, in terms of structure and who is not a part of it. China had faith which led nowhere.
2. Discussed Economic sanctions. The main trade partner= is the USA. Britain wanted to keep a good relationship with Japan. Discussed not selling firearms but worried about Japanese retaliation.
3. Too little, too late. Not fast enough at the beginning of the invasion. Realized the problem, they did nothing to solve it.

Question 5

What were some failures of the League in the 1930s?

Answer 5

Many invasions: Soviet Russia invading Finland– expulsion from the League
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria
The Italian invasion of Abyssinia