ManchuriaManchuria

ManchuriaManchuria•   •   The Nationalist government of China led The Nationalist government of China led by Chiang Kai-shek was weak, corrupt by Chiang Kai-shek was weak, corrupt and busy fighting the Communists.and busy fighting the Communists.•   •   Because of the Great Depression, Japan Because of the Great Depression, Japan wanted to build an empire to secure wanted to build an empire to secure supplies of raw materials.supplies of raw materials.•   •   The Japanese government was controlled The Japanese government was controlled by the by the armyarmy•   •   China ruled Manchuria, but the Japanese China ruled Manchuria, but the Japanese army army ran the railway there, and ruled in Korea.ran the railway there, and ruled in Korea.

ManchuriaManchuria

ManchuriaManchuria•   •   Sept 1931: There was some vandalism on Sept 1931: There was some vandalism on the the

Manchurian railway; Japan claimed the Manchurian railway; Japan claimed the Chinese Chinese

had sabotaged the railway.   had sabotaged the railway.  

•   •   They invaded Manchuria and set up the They invaded Manchuria and set up the

'independent' (i.e. Japanese-controlled) 'independent' (i.e. Japanese-controlled) state of state of

Manchukuo under the former Emperor of Manchukuo under the former Emperor of China, China,

Henry P'ui.   Henry P'ui.  

•   •   China appealed to the League. China appealed to the League.

ManchuriaManchuria•   •   Dec 1931: the League appointed a Dec 1931: the League appointed a commission commission

led by Lord Lytton to investigate.   led by Lord Lytton to investigate.  

•   •   He did not go to Manchuria until April 1932 He did not go to Manchuria until April 1932

and did not report until October.and did not report until October.

•   •   Oct 1932: Lytton's report stated that Japan Oct 1932: Lytton's report stated that Japan was was

the aggressor and should leave.the aggressor and should leave.

•   •   24 Feb 1933: The Assembly voted that 24 Feb 1933: The Assembly voted that Japan Japan

should leave Manchuria should leave Manchuria

•  •  Japan walked out of the meeting.Japan walked out of the meeting.

ManchuriaManchuria•   •   Japan stayed in Manchuria.   Japan stayed in Manchuria.  

•   •   The League The League could not agree economic could not agree economic sanctions sanctions

or an arms sales ban. or an arms sales ban.

•   •   In 1933 Japan resigned from the League, In 1933 Japan resigned from the League, and and

invaded/ conquered Jehol (next to invaded/ conquered Jehol (next to Manchuria).Manchuria).

ManchuriaManchuria

A SPECTACULAR failure:A SPECTACULAR failure:

1. The Japanese continued to expand:1. The Japanese continued to expand: •     •     they kept Manchuriathey kept Manchuria

• • they invaded Jehol in 1933 and China in they invaded Jehol in 1933 and China in 1937.1937.

ManchuriaManchuriaA SPECTACULAR failure:A SPECTACULAR failure:

2.  The League was discredited/ Manchuria 2.  The League was discredited/ Manchuria showed:showed: •     •     It was slow (the Lytton Report took almost a It was slow (the Lytton Report took almost a year)year) •     •     A country could get its own way if it ignored A country could get its own way if it ignored itit •     ‘ •     ‘Collective security' was useless against big Collective security' was useless against big countries - especially during the Great countries - especially during the Great Depression.Depression. •     •     Even the great powers within the League Even the great powers within the League (Japan (Japan

was on the Council) were happy to ignore it.was on the Council) were happy to ignore it.