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Japanese expansion -> Manchurian Crisis, Manchukuo had no real support…
Japanese expansion -> Manchurian Crisis
Japan’s Interest in Manchuria
By 1931, Japan was heavily invested in Manchuria (economic + strategic).
Manchuria offered:
Natural resources Japan lacked.
Access to Chinese markets.
Room for settlement of Japan's landless farmers.
Seen as a buffer against USSR and communist spread.
Chinese railway construction threatened Japanese interests.
Mukden Incident & Japanese Takeover
18 Sept 1931: Bomb exploded on South Manchurian Railway near Mukden.
Likely staged by the Kwantung Army to justify invasion.
Japan blamed Chinese troops; quickly invaded and occupied all of Manchuria.
By early 1932, Manchuria under full Japanese control (except Jehol/Rehe).
Created puppet state: Manchukuo, with Pu Yi as emperor.
Actions framed as helping Manchuria gain “independence.”
International Response
League of Nations
Formed Lytton Committee to investigate.
Report (1932):
Japan’s invasion unjustified.
Majority of population was Chinese, not Manchu.
China
Political instability: Chiang Kai-shek resigned as premier (Dec 1931), stayed head of military.
Tanggu Truce (May 1933):
China recognized Japan’s control of Manchuria.
China agreed not to challenge Japan.
A neutral zone was established south of the Great Wall.
Chiang avoided resistance due to:
Weak Chinese army.
Ongoing civil war with CCP.
Threats from northern warlords.
USA
Practiced semi-isolationism, but maintained Open Door Policy.
Issued the Stimson Doctrine:
Refused to recognize Japanese control of Manchuria.
Took no concrete action (no sanctions).
Soviet Union
Weak due to famine & collectivization.
Sold Chinese Eastern Railway to Japan (1935) → avoided conflict.
Internal Impact in Japan
Manchurian Crisis led to:
Military dominance in Japanese politics.
Civilian gov’t couldn't control the Kwantung Army.
PM assassinated → military gained influence.
Japan continued expansionist policies.
Key Historical Interpretations
Some historians argue:
Mukden Incident marked the start of WWII in Asia.
Crisis showed League’s inability to protect small states from great powers.
League's failure emboldened Axis powers (e.g., Abyssinia in 1935–36).
A.J.P. Taylor: League's failure during Manchurian Crisis made WWII more likely.
Crisis showed:
Great Powers wouldn’t act against one another.
League lacked political and financial will to intervene.
Manchukuo had no real support from locals.