The Manchurian Crisis1931

The Mukden Incident• Japanese controlling railways and

sectors of Manchuria belonging to the weak , ineffective Chinese government

• Sep 1931 explosion on railway at Mukden in Manchuria, China

• Japan blames China . Uses incident as excuse to send in troops. Conquers Manchuria by 1932.

• China appeals to LoN for sanctions on Japanese aggressors.

• Response by LoN feeble. • Suggest Japan and China negotiate a plan

to make Manchuria an independent state.

• Japan and China both reject plan as both would lose out.

LoN unwilling to confront Japanese.WHY?

• Economic– World economic depression. League members

lack resources• Military– Practical difficulties of waging war far away

• Political– USA gives no support– Sympathy for Japan’s position in the far east• “…… the dark menace of Russia” Winston Churchill

Outcomes and consequences of Manchurian Crisis

• Japan gains Manchuria – extends empire• League seen as – slow to act– Reluctant to use sanctions– weak

• Aggressor’s foreign policy has won again• Others could take advantage of League’s

weakness.

British Reaction to the Japanese takeover of Manchuria, 1931-32

A cartoon by Low from a British newspaper, 19th Jan 1933:

• The cartoon shows Japan walking over 'the league' (and the honour of nations) with dirty boots after invading Manchuria. The building represents the league of nations in Geneva, and the Japanese general is being welcomed by the doorman with a bunch of flowers (trying to keep the peace). The English gentleman on the right is trying to save the face of the league with a bit of make-up.