The Manchurian Crisis

The Manchurian Crisis was the first real crisis involving members, for the L.O.N to tackle. The Manchurian Crisis was the first real crisis involving members, for the L.O.N to tackle. Manchuria was part of China and had valuable raw materials. Manchuria was part of China and had valuable raw materials.

How the crisis began 1904 war with Russia, Japan took over lease on Russia’s railway through Manchuria 1904 war with Russia, Japan took over lease on Russia’s railway through Manchuria Japan’s relations with China then deteriorated Japan’s relations with China then deteriorated

Japan’s envy of Manchuria Manchuria possessed raw materials which Japan needed, as well as space for the Japanese population Manchuria possessed raw materials which Japan needed, as well as space for the Japanese population By 1930, 70% of foreign investment in Manchuria was Japanese By 1930, 70% of foreign investment in Manchuria was Japanese Japan began to build rival railways through China (Manchuria) Japan began to build rival railways through China (Manchuria)

Invasion of Manchuria In September 1931 an explosion occurred which did minor damage to the Japanese railway at Mukden In September 1931 an explosion occurred which did minor damage to the Japanese railway at Mukden Who was to blame?? Who was to blame?? Japanese blamed Chinese. Why? Japanese blamed Chinese. Why? Evidence to suggest that the Japanese sabotaged the railway themselvesEvidence to suggest that the Japanese sabotaged the railway themselves Why?Why? Japanese invaded all important towns in Manchuria within 3 daysJapanese invaded all important towns in Manchuria within 3 days

Invasion of Manchuria By January the army had taken over the entire province By January the army had taken over the entire province Japan resisted attempts by the Chinese government to end the invasion Japan resisted attempts by the Chinese government to end the invasion In February the Japanese announced that Manchuria had become the independent Republic of Manchukuo In February the Japanese announced that Manchuria had become the independent Republic of Manchukuo

Response of the League The Chinese took their case to the league The Chinese took their case to the league Unanimous agreement was reached to send a commission to investigate Unanimous agreement was reached to send a commission to investigate Six months after the dispute, Lord Lytton set sail Six months after the dispute, Lord Lytton set sail Report accepted Japan had been provoked, but rejected the idea that Japan had acted in self defence Report accepted Japan had been provoked, but rejected the idea that Japan had acted in self defence Report not available until another year had passed Report not available until another year had passed

Response of the League Also dismissed claim that Manchukuo was an independent state, seen as a puppet regime Also dismissed claim that Manchukuo was an independent state, seen as a puppet regime Solution: Japan and China to negotiate full independence of Manchuria Solution: Japan and China to negotiate full independence of Manchuria This did not appeal to either side This did not appeal to either side

Response of the League The great powers would not impose trade sanctions against Japan due to problems at home and American reluctance to get involved The great powers would not impose trade sanctions against Japan due to problems at home and American reluctance to get involved Churchill recommended appeasement Churchill recommended appeasement

Response of the League Japanese withdrew from the league Japanese withdrew from the league Manchukuo not recognised but Japan had got away with aggression Manchukuo not recognised but Japan had got away with aggression The league failed to protect one of its members and small members lost faith in the league The league failed to protect one of its members and small members lost faith in the league

Why Appeasement? Britain did not want to risk a war or take the lead by taken action Britain did not want to risk a war or take the lead by taken action Afraid of antagonising Japan who may be a threat to their empire Afraid of antagonising Japan who may be a threat to their empire Naval base at Singapore was incomplete Naval base at Singapore was incomplete France would not act alone, also had territories in far east France would not act alone, also had territories in far east USA afraid of growing Japanese power and committed to isolation USA afraid of growing Japanese power and committed to isolation USSR alarmed but committed to socialism in one country USSR alarmed but committed to socialism in one country

Impact on the idea of “collective security” The League of Nations was founded on the understanding of “collective security” would bring everlasting peace. The League of Nations was founded on the understanding of “collective security” would bring everlasting peace. That countries would be punished for breaking the terms set by the league. That countries would be punished for breaking the terms set by the league. This incident, which went unpunished, despite sanctions being threatened, highlighted the weaknesses within the League’s set up and soon had countries losing faith in the League and withdrawing from it. This incident, which went unpunished, despite sanctions being threatened, highlighted the weaknesses within the League’s set up and soon had countries losing faith in the League and withdrawing from it.