Manchurian/Mukden Incident (1931)

Prelude to War in Asia Japanese army believed Chiang Kai-shek’s Northern Expedition ( ) was a threat to Japanese security Japanese army believed Chiang Kai-shek’s Northern Expedition ( ) was a threat to Japanese security Anti-foreign/nationalistic feelings were very high Anti-foreign/nationalistic feelings were very high Result was a boycott of Japanese goods Result was a boycott of Japanese goods Northern Expedition Northern Expedition

Manchuria

1931 Section of the Railroad Japanese enter Mukden 1931—Japan took control of Manchuria 1931—Japan took control of Manchuria Manchuria was an important industrial area; hoped Japanese would move there to alleviate population problems in Japan; also important as a defense against the Soviet Union; Manchuria was an important industrial area; hoped Japanese would move there to alleviate population problems in Japan; also important as a defense against the Soviet Union; Military goods were manufactured for the army; rice & cotton from Manchuria were used to take care of the army Military goods were manufactured for the army; rice & cotton from Manchuria were used to take care of the army

1932 Japanese planes bombed Shanghai WITH consent of the Japanese Emperor and Chiang Kai-shek; in response to Chinese boycott of Japanese goods; Japanese nationals in Shanghai “feared for their lives” Japanese planes bombed Shanghai WITH consent of the Japanese Emperor and Chiang Kai-shek; in response to Chinese boycott of Japanese goods; Japanese nationals in Shanghai “feared for their lives” Japanese announced recognition of “Manchuko” Japanese announced recognition of “Manchuko”

LofN HQ in Geneva LofN HQ in Geneva The Chinese appealed to the League of Nations The Chinese appealed to the League of Nations The Lytton Commission was formed to investigate the situation in Manchuria The Lytton Commission was formed to investigate the situation in Manchuria

Lytton Commission Headed by the Earl of Lytton of the UK Headed by the Earl of Lytton of the UK The other members were from the US, Italy, Germany & France The other members were from the US, Italy, Germany & France In addition, they were aided by experts from Holland, Canada, US & France In addition, they were aided by experts from Holland, Canada, US & France Fact-finding mission spent 6 weeks in Manchuria, interviewed people Fact-finding mission spent 6 weeks in Manchuria, interviewed people Also talked with officials in Japan & China Also talked with officials in Japan & China

Lytton Commission In a report to the House of Lords, Lytton reported that the group saw themselves as working for the LofN, not their own individual governments In a report to the House of Lords, Lytton reported that the group saw themselves as working for the LofN, not their own individual governments The commission believed they were “explorers for peace”, not judges of the situation The commission believed they were “explorers for peace”, not judges of the situation In addition to looking for the truth of the Incident, the commission saw as its task “to find, if we could, what were the conditions that would ensure peace in the future” In addition to looking for the truth of the Incident, the commission saw as its task “to find, if we could, what were the conditions that would ensure peace in the future” Lytton Commission Report before the House of Lords 1932 Lytton Commission Report before the House of Lords 1932 Lytton Commission Report before the House of Lords 1932 Lytton Commission Report before the House of Lords 1932

Lytton Commission Recommendations The recommendations fall into two groups… status of Manchuria and relations between China & Japan The recommendations fall into two groups… status of Manchuria and relations between China & Japan Manchuria should be autonomous within China; China should appoint the head of Manchuria to be advised by foreign advisors, some of them Japanese Manchuria should be autonomous within China; China should appoint the head of Manchuria to be advised by foreign advisors, some of them Japanese

Lytton Commission Recommendations China & Japan were advised to sign three new treaties: China & Japan were advised to sign three new treaties: Define Japan’s rights or interests Define Japan’s rights or interests “Treaty of Conciliation & Arbitration, Non- Aggression and Mutual Assistance “Treaty of Conciliation & Arbitration, Non- Aggression and Mutual Assistance Commercial Treaty to end the boycotts Commercial Treaty to end the boycotts Time Magazine “Japan-China: Five Wise Westerners” Oct. 10, 1932 Time Magazine “Japan-China: Five Wise Westerners” Oct. 10, 1932 Time Magazine “Japan-China: Five Wise Westerners” Oct. 10, 1932 Time Magazine “Japan-China: Five Wise Westerners” Oct. 10, 1932

Japanese Response Japan withdrew from the League of Nations (1933) after the Lytton Report condemned Japanese invasion of Manchuria & demanded Japan withdraw Japan withdrew from the League of Nations (1933) after the Lytton Report condemned Japanese invasion of Manchuria & demanded Japan withdraw Second London Naval Conference; Japan withdrew when the US and UK rejected Japanese demands for equality in naval power; by 1938 all powers were constructing naval ships in violation of the naval agreements 1935 Second London Naval Conference; Japan withdrew when the US and UK rejected Japanese demands for equality in naval power; by 1938 all powers were constructing naval ships in violation of the naval agreements

Chinese Response The Manchurian Incident increased the intensity of the Chinese boycott of Japanese goods The Manchurian Incident increased the intensity of the Chinese boycott of Japanese goods Japanese imports into China dropped to 1/6 of their former value Japanese imports into China dropped to 1/6 of their former value

Sources China: A New History by John K Fairbank. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univ. Press China: A New History by John K Fairbank. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univ. Press (pictures) (pictures)