Invasion of Manchuria, 1931

MANCHURIA: 1931

WHY?

1.   TOUCHY NATIONALISM:

-      Didn’t want to be ‘second-class’ nation (small navy, league had refused its clause on racial equality)

2.   WEAK ECONOMY:

-      Depression à WSC àUSA and China put up protective tariffs on traded goods

-      Raw materials and living space from Manchuria

3.   WEAK GOVERNMENT:

-      Weak civilian government

-      Could not control army

-      Military leaders often dictated policy and ignored govnt.

4.   WEAKNESS OF CHINA:

-      Sept 1931: Japan claimed explosion on railway tracks of South Manchurian Railway by sabotage of Chinese soldiers

-      Could make this claim as Chinese govnt. was otherwise preoccupied with an encirclement campaign against communism – didn’t notice.

WHAT HAPPENED?

-      Japanese soldiers overran Manchuria

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