Failures-+Manchuria+1931

The Manchuria attack happen in the beginning of 1931 with a full-scale attack on the Provence. China was weak and was experiencing a civil war between the nationalists and communists. Japan saw this as a good opportunity and they believed that the League of Nations would back them up since they were an important member to the league. However, just before the full-scale attack, mysteriously, the South Manchurian Railway, which was important to Japan since it was one of their main import routes to Japan, was sabotaged and this gave Japan an excuse to attack Manchuria.

The reasons why Japan attacked Manchuria were:
 * Japan was lacking in natural resources and Manchuria was believed to be rich in natural resources such minerals, forestry and agricultural farm land [¹].
 * Japan’s population was rapidly increasing, needed for space to live and work in.
 * Japan’s military was expanding and saw it as an opportunity.
 * Manchuria was weak and would be an easy area to invade and occupy.

On September 18th 1931, the whole Provence of Manchuria was occupied by Japan [¹]. When this happened, China seeks help from the League and asks Japan to withdraw. Japan ignores the request and blames the Chinese. The Japanese government agreed with China and told the Japan military to withdraw. This was completely ignored showing that the military and the government weren’t cooperating. The League had no idea how to solve the problem. If they put economical sanctions on Japan, would Japan ignore it since they had Manchuria and other important trade routes between the US and Europe. In the end, Japan totally ignored the League and left the League 27th of March 1933 and began to re-arm itself even more.

Manchuria had a massive affect on the League and because of Manchuria, the League lost even more support from other countries and was one of main failures of the League.

The Japanese invasion of Manchuria 1931. Source : []

The Japanese attack on Manchuria, 1931 Source :[| http://www.historycentral.com/asia/JapsAttackManchuria.jpg]

Bibliography:
[¹] : []