International Response to Japanese AGGRESSION (1931-36) Pgs. 61-74
The League of nations in Manchuria The LON WAS AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION CREATED AFTER WW1 IN AN ATTEMPT TO FOSTER INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND COOPERATION. The LON _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ The problem was that a few important countries never joined the LON (Like the USA).
LON in Mukden Following the Mukden Incident China Appealed to the League; in hopes the league would take action against Japan (Article 16 – p. 63) The league was slow to take action – having multiple meetings to discuss ‘what they would do’ didn’t help either. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ This caused the LON to send a ‘fact finding mission’ to Mukden and Manchuria.
Facts. The commission (Led by Lord Lytton) took several months to arrive, and then several more months to complete the investigation. During this time, the Kwantung Army was able to expand further and finally declare Manchuria the new state of Manchukuo (1932). Open the book to page 64, and make note of the 4 stipulations of the Mukden report. Also note that Japan did not accept any of these conditions and also withdrew from the LON in protest.
Why did the LON fail? Both Britain and France felt that their interests did not concern Japan at this time, and as a result did not impart any repercussions on Japan. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ The Leagues inability to enforce their mandate, contributed to Mussolini’s decision to invade Abyssinia in 1935.
Lon Continues to Fail The LON and the international community did nothing to slow Japanese aggression in China. This includes events in the Sino- Japanese war as well as the “Rape of nanking”. This has been considered the Leagues Biggest Failure in Asia. See cartoon on page 66
China’s Response to Japan The second united front (1936) was formed between the Nationalist Party (Jiang) and the Communist party (MAO) to form total resistance against the Japanese Invasion. Despite all efforts by the united front, the Japanese forces proved to be too aggressive and by 1938 Beijing, Shanghai, Ghangzhou and NanJing had all fallen to the Japanese. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Conflict into ww2 The conflict against the Chinese Coalition proved to be very difficult and frustrating for the Japanese. The Japanese were forced to set up puppet governments in conquered areas and this further proved difficult… and by 1938, china was divided into 3 main areas: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Pearl Harbor and china… With the escalating violence in China, the Sino-Japanese War conflict became one-key battle in the Second World War. Read the purple section on page 68-69.
USA’s Response to Japan .. 1931-37 Since 1919, the USA had practiced a policy of 'isolationism': Meaning they were not involving themselves in any international affairs, including the League. SO when it came to the issue of Japan and Manchuria: The United States held a position of non-interest. With the Great Depression beginning in 1930: the uSA formally took a position of Non-Recognition signing the Stimson Doctrine. From 1933 to 1937 if Japan's actions did not harm US economic interests they simply did not care!
American Response 1937-38 The American's continued to take an isolationist approach even though Japanese advancements into China began to harm their economic interests. In 1937, president FDR rejected a coalition with Britain to negotiate peace between japan and china, as they were bound by the Neutrality Acts (p. 72). The Americans even neglected action when Japan bombed a us gunboat (the Panay) that was escorting 3 Chinese oil tankers. (Japan quickly reimbursed the US for their troubles) In fact, up until 1939 the USA was indirectly funding the war against China by continually purchasing Japanese silk and exporting oil and other goods to them. (see cartoon on p. 73)
USA in 1938 Activity: Read page 72-74 and make notes on the following: 1. What specific actions did USA take against Japan? 2. How was usa impacted by Chinese interests in 1938? 3. How did Italy and Germany factor into Japan's Expansion?