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4. Japanese invasion of Manchuria and Northern China (1931) (3. Response…
4. Japanese invasion of Manchuria and Northern China (1931)
1. Background - political instability in China
Chinese Empire suffered defeats in 19th century = exploited by countries
Growth of nationalist sentiment
Qing dynasty overthrown in 1911= China becomes a republic, but Beijing’s control is weak - ‘Warlord Era’ (1916-1927)
Role of Guomindang (GMD) Party and emergence of nationalist China
1926-27 - Northern Expedition launched to defeat warlords and create effective national government
Led by Chiang Kai-shek
New govt established in Nanjing by 1927
Japan worried that Chiang Kai-Shek might end concessions in China in Manchuria and felt it needed to act
Further, Manchuria warlord, Zhang Xueliang was seeking to eliminate foreign influences
But Japan could see the weakness of Zhang following the Soviet response to the seizure of the latter’s assets in Manchuria. A Red Army division forced Zhang’s retreat
2. The Mukden Incident, September 1931
Japanese Army in Manchuria (aka Kwangtung Army) blew up part of the South Manchurian Railway just north of Mukden and blamed it on the Chinese. Japanese did not want to give up assets there to Chiang or Zhang
Decision taken by Lieutenant-Colonel Ishiwara Kanji, with the backing of some military figures in Tokyo. Ignored Japanese government protests
Army is in control of Manchuria by November 1931
Japanese proclaim state of Manchuko in Feb 1932
Declared an independent country
Japan installed Pu Yi, the last Chinese Emperor who had abdicated in 1912 = puppet rules
3. Response of the League and Lytton Report
Slow and ineffectual! European powers not sympathetic to Chiang Kai-Shek as he was trying to end foreign concessions
Members more focused on impact of the Great Depression and the strength of Kwantung
No sanctions imposed, UK and France reasoned they would not work without US
Also worried Japanese attacks on Far East colonies
Oct 1931 - Japan blocks Council’s resolution. China had appealed to League under Article 11. Japan, trying to buy time suggests commission of inquiry into Mukden Incident
Dec 1931 - League sets up the Lytton Commission. Report not published till October 1932 = Manchuria should be autonomous under Chinese sovereignty.
League opted for ‘non-recongition’ of Manchuko. Japan claimed it was a state and left the League in February 1933
US response
US government was divided
Secretary of State, Henry Stimson favoured a tough stance - such as sanctions
Hoover decided on ‘non-recognition’ - Stimson Non-Recognition Doctrine adopted in January 1932
Neutrality Act 1935 passed committing the govt to neutrality in the event of wars
4. Reasons for League’s failure
Absence of US and USSR
Britain and France worried about Far East colonial possessions
League’s procedures were slow
Britain and France were sympathetic to increased Japanese control as China was already in a very unstable, situation. Further Britain had few financial interests in China (only 2.5% exports went there)
Impact of the Great Depression