What was the International response

to the Invasion of Manchuria?

L/O – To analyse the domestic and international responses
to the invasion of Manchuria
Aims

• Understand the international response to the 2nd Sino Japanese War

• Demonstrate understanding of historical sources
• Interpret and analyse information from a variety of sources
• Compare and contrast information between sources
• Evaluate sources for their value and limitations
• Synthesize evidence from the sources with your own detailed
knowledge of the topic.
The Significance of the Invasion
• The invasion of Manchuria was a significant turning
point for Japan and China, changing the political and
social geography of both countries.

• Its colonial experiment launched in Manchukuo would

transform Japanese policy towards China, locking
Japan into a dynamic of ever increasing involvement
that would result in war with China.

• The invasion also catalysed anti-Japanese sentiment

within China, creating popular forces that would lead
Chiang Kai-shek to eventually oppose Japan.
The Significance of the Invasion
• The impact of the invasion upon international relations,
as well as domestically, can therefore be examined in the
following ways:

1. Impact on Japan – how the invasion influenced events

in Manchuria and Japan

2. Impact on China – how the GMD and CCP responded

to the invasion

3. Impact Internationally – how the LoN and other world

powers responded
Impact on Japan – Growing Militarism
• Whilst being outnumbered by Zhang Xueliang’s forces by
20:1, the Kwantung Army quickly moved to over-run the
whole of Manchuria.

• This was despite the Japanese governments’ attempts to

halt army operations. Prime Minister Wakatsuki Reijiro
would resign in December 1931 due to his failure to
control the military.

• He was succeeded by Inukai Tsuyoshi who had no choice

but to make the occupation official government policy.
Despite this, he was assassinated in the 15th May 1932
incident. Thus ended one of the last parliamentary
cabinets. He was succeeded by Viscount Admiral Saito
Makoto as Prime Minister in a ‘national unity’ cabinet.
Impact on Japan – Growing Militarism
• From 1932 onwards, Japan would be ruled by a series of
national unity cabinets of senior bureaucrats and military
men. The political parties would largely be ignored.

• The military were able to exert almost total control over

the cabinet, with the Army and Navy Ministers required to
be serving officers.

• With political power thus residing within the armed forces,

the military became highly politicised. The success of
Manchuria radicalised many young officers who now
sought to control the direction of state policy.
Impact on Japan – Growing Militarism
• The Imperial Way Faction (Kodoha) – was a collection of
secret ultra-nationalist groups amongst the armed forces
and civilian society. Influence by Kita Ikki, they wanted to
bring about a ‘Showa Restoration’ which would remove the
corrupt, capitalist middle-classes and restore a direct link
between the people and the Emperor. They wanted to
avoid adventurism in China in favour of ideological war
against the Soviet Union.

• The Control Faction (Toseiha) – was an alliance of more

pragmatic elder statesmen and younger technocrats. They
believed that war with the West was inevitable, therefore
Japan should utilise capitalism to prepare Japan for Total
War. They favoured strengthening Japan’s position in China
and Manchukuo.
Impact on Japan – Growing Militarism
• Tensions between the two factions came to a head in the
‘February Incident’ of 1936. On 26th February, thousands of
Imperial Way officers attempted to take-over the
government in Tokyo and enact a Showa Restoration.

• Many members of the government were killed, however

they failed to assassinate PM Keisuke Okada or control the
Imperial Palace. After the Emperor publicly denounced the
coup, many surrendered.

• This time, 19 of the coup’s leaders were executed and

more were imprisoned. The Control Faction used this as an
opportunity to purge the army of Imperial Way supporters.
Impact on Japan – Growing Militarism
• By the end of the year, Prime Minister Koki Hirota had
given Army and Navy Ministers the right to approve all
civilian appointments giving them a veto over the
government.

• Military control of education was further increased, and

censorship of the media with the creation of a ‘United
Press Agency’ in June 1936.

• By playing upon the fears of the establishment the Control

Faction was therefore able to ‘control’ Japanese politics.
Impact on Japan – Manchukuo
• The increasing militarism of Japanese society also
impacted on Manchuria. By failing to reign-in the
Kwantung army, Japanese forces in China simply became
more emboldened.

• They were aided in this by public support. ‘Manchukuo’ as

it was renamed, captured the public imagination and
united all Japanese around the ‘imperial project’.

• It came to be seen as a promised land and a solution to

Japan’s economic ills. Plans were developed turn
Manchukuo into a Pan-Asian paradise, with Emperor Puyi
re-instated as its head of state.
Impact on Japan – Manchukuo
• Through the leadership of the Kwantung Army, Imperial
Civil Service, and South Manchuria Railroad Company,
Manchukuo’s economy boomed.

• Plan were made to increase Japanese colonisation – by

1941 over 100,000 had emigrated, the road network was
doubled, telegraph network tripled in size, airfields were
built, cities created.

• In total, Japanese investment was valued at 4 billion Yen

between 1931-40, or £9 billion GBP! This economic boom
helped Japan’s economy to recover faster. By 1936,
Japanese exports had surpassed 1929 levels by 60%!
Impact on China – Anti-Japanese Protest
• Within China, Chiang Kai-shek responded with a policy of
‘non-resistance, non-compromise, and non-negotiation’.

• For Chiang, the GMD army was in no position to defeat

Japan, especially consider that his control over China
wasn’t complete, with independent warlords and the CCP
still threatening his rule.

• Yet the lack of a response only served to inflame passions

amongst the Chinese public, who were increasingly
angered by Ching’s inaction.
Impact on China – Anti-Japanese Protest
• Anti-Japanese boycotts soon spread throughout
China, with Japanese imports falling by 30% in
1931, and by 90% in 1932.

• This anger is led to riots, especially in Shanghai.

In January 1932, Japan sent 700 Marines and a
fleet of destroyers into Shanghai to quell anti-
Japanese riots which were spiralling out of
control.

• However a spontaneous Chinese resistance

formed, with soldiers of the local Nineteenth
Route Army, and Green Gang joining together
to put up stiff resistance.
Impact on China – Anti-Japanese Protest
• By the 3rd March ceasefire, Japan had sent over 3 army
divisions to Shanghai to beat back the Chinese opposition.
The Invasion of Manchuria had clearly galvanised
opposition to Japan.

• The burgeoning Chinese Communist Party were a direct

recipient of this national mood. Between 1931-34, over
120,000 had joined the Red Army in its Kiangsi province
Soviet.

• Chiang Kai-shek also realised the need for rearmament.

With German support, over 300,000 GMD troops were
trained, supplied with the latest German weaponry. By
1935, 60% of German arms exports went to China!
Impact on China – Anti-Japanese Protest
• Chiang also rapidly moved to consolidate his
position in China. With the CCP assumed to have
been defeated in 1935, he launched a series of
consolidation programmes.

• His ‘New Life Movement’ sought to reinvigorate

political life whilst the short-lived ‘Blue Shirts
Movement’ saw an attempt to enforce his control.

• Currency reform, social welfare improvement, a

refocus on exports – all helped Chiang to
consolidate his power within China.
Impact on China – 2nd United Front
• Despite these attempts at self-strengthening, Chiang
was still reluctant for form a coalition with the CCP.

• The USSR, seeing a second united front as the best

way to deter Japanese aggression, encouraged the
CCP to seek an alliance with the GMD.

• In December 1936, Chiang was kidnapped by Zhang

Xueliang whilst visiting troops in Xi’an. In intense
negotiations with the CCP, Chiang publicly announced
the Second United Front. Anti-Japanese resistance
was now galvanised around Chiang’s leadership.
Impact Internationally
• Immediately after the invasion, Chiang had called on
the League of Nations to intervene in the crisis. The
LoN responded with an ‘International Commission of
Enquiry’.

• Japan was initially uncooperative, ignoring demands

to withdraw troops. Yet by January 1932, having
conquered Manchuria, Japan decided to accept an
enquiry.

• Lord Lytton, the Viceroy of India, was dispatched to

investigate. His findings published in October 1932
was surprisingly sympathetic to Japan but
condemned the invasion.
Impact Internationally
• The League could have responded to the invasion
with military or economic sanctions, yet major world
powers were reluctant to do so.

• The role of Britain was essential as it alone amongst

the Council of the League was in a position to enforce
military sanctions with its navy.

• Yet many in Britain were sympathetic to Japan –

Western nations were also fed-up with instability in
China. Clearly, action against Japan would only have
emboldened extremists in government.
Impact Internationally
• On 24th February 1933 the Council of the League
voted 42-1 to accept the Lytton Report.

• Japan responded by withdrawing its membership of

the League in March 1933. Japan was left isolated
internationally, yet this only encouraged Japan to act
even more unilaterally in northern China.

• In March they annexed Jehol province and the May

1933 Tanggu Truce between Japan and China created
a DMZ over 100 km south of the Great Wall, in Hopei
province. By 1935, this DMZ was extended to Chahar
province.
Impact Internationally
• Further away in Europe, the lessons of the invasion
were being noted by the rising tide of fascist
governments.

• The failure of the League to confront Japanese

aggression emboldened Hitler to take Germany out
of the League in 1933.

• Mussolini would also leave in 1937. The whole

concept of collective security was damaged by the
Manchurian Invasion.
Plenary
• The invasion of Manchuria was therefore a clear
turning point for Japan. Internally, it destroyed any
remaining legitimacy of the civilian government,
resulting in the militarisation of politics.

• In China, it drew Japan economically and politically

into increasing involvement. It galvanised the Chinese
into opposing Japan, laying the foundations for war.

• Internationally, it isolated Japan, ending any hopes

for cooperation with the West and putting Japan on a
course of military confrontation.
Response of the Soviet Union to the 2nd SJW
• Soviet Response Please by the Japanese invasion/it allowed
for the CCP not to be persecuted by the Nationalist (Chiang
Kaishek)
• Japan will spend time and resources fighting China and
leave the Manchukuo border unprotected
• The Soviet supplied the unified China with tanks, aircraft
and ammunition/artillery 1938, China defended territory
more efficiently
• Japan attempted to capture Wuhan but the attack was
suspended due to a provoked conflict in Lake Khasan Area
given to The Soviets which led to better supply China
• May1939 Japan moved west and the Soviets with personal
interest also began warring – battel of Nomonhan, Mongolia
• September 1939 20,000 Soviet soldiers deployed against
10, 000 Japanese – only 1000 soldiers killed for which
territory by the Soviets was gained
• China continue to be supplied by the Soviets until 1941
when invaded by Germany Chiang continue to fight the CCP
 Response of the US to the 2nd SJW
• Response by USA Continue Open Door
Policy (ODP)
• Show displeasure of the aggression but
no to interfere with commerce in Asian
markets
• Preserve colonies
• 1937: Initial response was to prohibit
war supplies (only China affected)
• Oil and metals not prohibited until 1940
• Nanjin Massacre reports allow US
involvement in the conflict
• February 1938: 25 million were lent to
china
• USA remained uninvolved until 1940
 Germany response to the 2nd SJW

• Supported anti communism

• Supplied China with military advisors and
did business with them
• By 1936 supplied 80 percent of all
weapons in exchange for tungsten
• Germany in need of metal
• Military assistance continue until 1938
• Anti Comintern Pact put pressure on
Germany to stop supply
 The route to Pearl Harbor: What Japanese
actions led to war with the USA?
• Japan’s interest of
expansion, with the
support of the
ultranationalist within
the government and
the army, continue in
Asia which eventually
led to the outbreak of
the war in the
The route to Pearl Harbor: What was the purpose
of Japan’s invasion of French Indochina?
• China’s ports controlled by japan
• Supplies were sent through
Burma and the far western
provinces
• Largest conduit was French
Indochina, Laos and Cambodia
• France defeated by Germany
1940 caused colonies to be
vulnerable
• Japan “asked” permission to
occupy northern region
• Japan landed troops in Haiphong
in Sept 1940 and built airbases
 The route to Pearl Harbor: What was the purpose
of Japan’s invasion of French Indochina?
• The USA responded three days later by stopping the sale of scrap metal
and steel to Japan
• Increased financial assistance to China
• 1941 Japan occupies the rest of French Indochina
• The USA immediately responded by: 1. Freezing Japanese assets in the
USA 2. Banning the sale of Oil to Japan 3. Granting $240 million to China
 How were Japan’s foreign and military policies
affected by the USA’s ban on oil sales?: The Oil
embargo

• USA larger supplier

• The embargo had a great effect on
japan and its policies
• The war on China would collapse
• 18 months supply and needed to
search for other source
• Place the Dutch East Indies
(Indonesia)
• Occupation plans
• The USA would be incited,
Philippines
The route to Pearl Harbor

• Admiral Yamamoto developed

plan
• Attack the USA in order to
discourage
• Buy some time to continue
attack on China
 The route to Pearl Harbor

• The Hull note, officially the

Outline of Proposed Basis for
Agreement Between the
United States and Japan, was
the final proposal delivered to
the Empire of Japan by the
United States before the attack
on Pearl Harbor and the
declaration of war between
the two nations.