1. The Manchurian Crisis 1931 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.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. British Reaction to the Japanese takeover of Manchuria, 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.