International Disputes in 1930's
Manchuria
Abyssinia
Causes
Japan not self sufficient in food, depended on imports to feed rising population
Greatly affected by Depression as they could not sell their luxuries like silk, which their economy depended upon
Manchuria was rich in mineral wealth, agricultural land and forestry
Bordered Korea, which Japan had control over at the time
Events
Japanese soldiers staged a railway incident to launch an invasion into China
Japan needed land to prevent overpopulation
China appealed to League, causing Japanese to promise to withdraw
Soon became clear that government was not in control of military anymore
Japanese military proceeded to occupy the whole province and rename it Manchukuo
League Reaction
Could have called for sanctions but didn't,
European powers wanted to keep eastern trade, as America would take over lost business
Military sanctions too difficult, involved sending naval task force halfway around world with uncertain odds
Britain and France feared attacks on their far eastern colonies
League sent a team, led by Lord Lytton, to investigate, and after 6 weeks he concluded that the invasion was not justified
Japans response was to leave the league
What could the league have done differently?
Acted faster, by the time Lytton arrived the invasion was complete and Japanese were strengthening hold
However, sanctions would have been ineffective as they had no nearby military to call on, and US and Russia could still trade
Cause
Mussolini was looking for ways to boost Italian Economy and his popularity during depression
War with Abyssinia was a low risk way to do this
Abyssinia last remaining independent state of Africa
Located between two other Italian territories: Eritrea and Somaliland
Italy had tried to conquer them before, but were humiliatingly defeated and now wanted revenge
Abyssinian army unlikely to be a match, due to their outdated weapons
Events
Following a 'border incident' at Wal Wal, Mussolini began two pronged Italian attack, involving 250,000 men
Without any formal declaration of war
League reaction
Imposed economic sanctions on Italy immediately
Soon became clear these were ineffective, due to exclusion of oil and gas from ban, and the keeping open of the Suez Canal
Suez kept open out of fear of Italian attacks on British Malta and Gibraltar
To avoid Embarrassment, Britain and France proposed a secret deal
Offered 2/3 of Abyssinia in exchange for stopping the war
Deal was leaked, and protests forced them to abandon the plan
Wars continued and capital was captured
Sanctions lifted shortly after
What could the League have done differently?
Britain and France pursuing two different objectives
Obligated to impose sanctions due to their duty with the LofN, and collective security
Did not want to offend Italy to the point where they become and ally of Germany
This objective was considered more important by Britain and France
In pursuing 2 objectives, they ended up with nothing, as Italy became an ally of Germany, and the league was destroyed by this failiure.