1. JAPAN INVADES MANCHURIA

2. Japan after World War 1
Japan emerges as a great power in international
politics sits at the top table at the Treaty of Versailles
Gains control over Shandong in north east China, and
Germany’s Pacific territories such as Palau, Micronesia
the Marshall Islands
Like most countries they were hit hard by the
depression of the 1930s and become militaristic
The Japanese army then looked to expansion
overseas to cure their depression at home

3. A MILITARY SOLUTION TO AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM

4. Manchuria Bordering Mongolia and USSR, just over the ditch from Japan
Rich mineral and coal reserves
Japan already owns industries (legacy of war with Russia) here and have a naval base at Port Arthur
The military have a major influence over the Japanese government and they believe they should secure their interests

5. INVASION!
In 1931 Japanese troops blow up a section of the Japanese-owned railway and blame it on the Chinese.
They then use this as an excuse to invade Manchuria, accusing the Chinese of not being able to maintain order
They would later spread their forces into other parts of China

6. International Reaction
China appealed to the League of Nations
for help
League sets up Lytton Commission who
condemn the invasion, but do little else
The League orders Japan to evacuate
Manchuria, but no other actions are
taken, no sanctions are imposed and no
one was prepared to use force
against Japan
Japan leave the League on March 27,
1933

7. Consequences Much like Hitler, Japan have tested the waters and found
League lack any guts to do anything
The League of Nations is undermined and
embarrassed again
Japan gain confidence and start looking at other
places to expand
1936 Anti-Comintern Pact with Nazis which was effectively
the start of ‘the Axis’