LEAGUE OF NATIONS: THE MANCHURIAN CRISIS. The Manchurian Crisis 1931-1933 followed the Mukden Incident in which Japanese rail tracks were destroyed in an explosion. The issue was investigated by the League of Nations which found Japan to be at fault. The Japanese ignored the League of Nations and left the organisation.

1. CONTENT
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
MANCHURIAN CRISIS
1931
6

2. MANCHURIA
• Manchuria was a province of
north-east China with part of
its southern frontier bordering
Korea.
• It was a sparsely populated
province, rich in mineral
wealth, agricultural land,
and forestry.

3. BACKGROUND
• Since 1905 the Japanese had been in control of Korea with
additional trading rights extending northwards into the
Manchurian interior.
• In connection with these rights Japanese guards were permitted
along the route of the South Manchurian Railway.
• The purpose of these guards was to maintain order in a lawless,
chaotic area, also to protect Japanese business interests.

4. USA AND JAPAN
• The USA saw Japan as a threat. Japan was a militaristic
country. Japan was at war with Russia in 1904. Japanese
industries had grown while Europe was busy fighting WW1.
• USA was worried about Japanese competition, and they limit
their power and influence (Pacific).
• They were also worried about the sizer of their navy.
• When the Depression wrecked Japanese industry, the leaders
called for military expansion for gaining control and resources.

5. WHY
MANCHURIA?
• As an island trading nation
Japan was very badly affected
by the Depression.
• Japan was not self-sufficient
in food and depended upon
imports to feed its rapidly
rising population. These
imports had to be paid for with
exports but Japan’s main
export commodity was silk, a
luxury item.

6. WHY MANCHURIA? cont.
• Manchuria seemed to offer the answer to Japan’s problems.
• It could provide a source of food and raw materials, a market
for Japanese export, as well as land for the surplus Japanese
population.

7. THE MUKDEN
INCIDENT
• In September 1931, Japan
used and excuse of an
incident to take Mukden and
send its troops to overrun
the rest of Manchuria.
• The Japanese pretended to
give Manchuria
independence.
• They put a weak leader
(puppet leader) called Puyi.
He was the last emperor of
China.

8. THE RESPONSE OF THE LON
At this stage, the League could have called for sanctions but it failed to do
so. There were few reasons for this.
1. None of the European powers wanted to reduce their trade with the
Far East, especially since American firms could have taken over the lost
business.
2. The alternative of military sanctions was even less appealing. This
would have involved European states sending a naval task force to the other
side of the world with very uncertain prospects of success.
3. Both Britain and France possessed colonies in the Far East. They
feared sanctions might provoke a Japanese attack.

9. THE LYTTON COMMISSION
• The League did not feel it could do absolutely nothing and
appointed Lord Lytton to lead a commission of enquiry to
Manchuria, together with a four-man team, including a
representative from the United States.
• Lytton spent six weeks in the province and came to the
conclusion that although the Japanese were provoked in various
ways by the Chinese, the invasion was not justified.
• The Lytton Report was considered by the Assembly AFTER 18
MONTHS!!!, in February 1933 where the findings were accepted by
a vote of 42 to 1.
• Japan’s response was to leave the LON.

10. THE LEAGUE WAS WEAKENED
• Japan refused to accept Lord Lytton’s report and withdrew
from the League in 1933. It was the date when Hitler was
appointed Chancellor and Japan started to become friendly
with Germany.
• In 1933 the Japanese invaded China’s Jehol province, which
bordered Manchurian. Hitler and Mussolini saw the obvious
weakness of the League.
• Japan signed a treaty with Germany in 1936, and in 1937
started to invade China. The League did nothing to stop it.

11. JAPAN WALKS OUT OF LON VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hStmrz3N46U

12. SHOGUNS

13. COMMODORE
PERRY