JAPANESE EXPANSION Including the Manchurian Crisis – P

Causes for expansion and ultimately the war with USA ■Please read p. 30 in the textbook and make notes on the different perspectives regarding what led Japan to war with the USA. ■Please write them down, as we will need them later!

Causes for expansion – instability in China ■A new form of Chinese nationalism was growing in the late 1920s led by two different groups. –The nationalist party (GMD) led by Jiang Jieshi began their campaign of national unity based on an anti-foreigner rhetoric. They also demanded an end to unequal treaties they were forced to sign with Japan. –The Communist Party led by Mao Zedong joined with the GMD (called themselves the United Front) in 1921 and launched a campaign to consolidate all power in China from the warlords (p. 31). –Ultimately these groups could not get along and by 1927 they were fighting each other and not focusing so much on Japan.

Japanese Issues (pre 1932) ■To offset Chinese Nationalist expansion, the Japanese army backed the warlord in Manchuria (as they had interests in that area). ■However, when the interests of the warlord (Zhang) were revealed that he wanted to grow his empire; the Japanese removed support and the GMD took control of that area. ■This proved to be further complicated, because some members of the Japanese army took matters into their own hands and stopped GMD forces from expanding, took control of that area and assassinated Zhang. ■This disrespect angered the Emperor and in 1929 the Japanese (Kwantung) army was unable to be controlled so Prime Minister Tanaka was forced to resign. ■This case study proves that the army and the government were not fully cooperating and at any point could compromise Japan’s integrity.

Economic Crisis in Japan ■In partners: read page 32 and 34 and make notes on all issues impacting Japan’s economy. ■THEN… ■Work in partners to answer the “source skills” activity on page 33. –Group 1: according to source B… –Group 2: according to source C… –Group 3: What is the message… –All groups: Second question…

Manchurian Invasion ■Sept 18, 1931 (Mukden Incident): There was some vandalism (explosion) on the Manchurian railway; Japan claimed the Chinese had sabotaged the railway. Even though there is evidence it was members of the Kwantung. –The Japanese government declared the army would fall back to the railway zone, but the Kwantung again ignored the government and pushed forward. ■They invaded Manchuria and set up the 'independent' (i.e. Japanese- controlled) state of Manchukuo (February) under the former Emperor of China, Henry P'ui. –China appealed to the League of Nations.

Results of the Manchurian Crisis? ■In partners, read page 36 – 38 and summarize each heading. ■We will be discussing this at the end of the class!

Extra Manchuria Info here!