Why did Japan invade Manchuria in 1931?
Where is Manchuria
- In 1905 Russo – Japanese war, Japan had gained control of much of Manchuria
- 1910 Japan formally annexed (take over) Korea
- Japan was on the ark – run by rich families (The Mitsubishi family)
- Japan based troops in the South of Manchuria to guard the South Manchuria railway line – it
brought raw materials and goods back to Japan
- Manchuria had fertile farming land (rice) – rich in coal and iron and has large fields for rice ore –
Japan was mountains in comparison and limited the ability to farm
Economic Crisis and Depression
- Economic
Raw materials – their population had increased to 65 million and industry rapidly
developed – desperately needed to import raw materials and food to sustain industry
and population
- Impact of Wall Street Crash
Japan trades a lot of silk and was being sent to the US, during the depression the price of
silk dropped by 1/5 – walk street crash caused Japan to crash and had to keep much of
their resources to survive, but they still wanted to trade
Chief export of Japan was silk but because of USA, there was no longer demand, so price
fell in 1931 to1/5th of its 1922 value.
Industry in general suffered Employment and production fell by 30% between 1929 and
1931
- Manchuria offered raw materials such as Coal and Iron ore and fertile farmland to grow food
such as rice. Equally would provide export market.
Militarism
- Warrior tradition – army sign of prestige and status. Honour to die for Emperor and there was a
strict code: never be captured, never break down, and never surrendered - “Death before
dishonour”
- 1922 Washington Naval Agreement (followed on from W. Conference of 1921) – Japan felt treated
unfairly only 3 warships to every 5 British and USA – Japan could not tryst allies or own policies
- Army experts more control in Japan than politicians – had reputation for assassinating politicians or
anyone connected to them e.g., 1928 Warlord Change Tso Lin assassinated because army felt
government policy of friendship towards hir wrong. 1932 PM even killed by group of soldiers
- Japan was eager to use their army partly because of the central role they played in society but
equally because they felt maligned by other world powers and wanted to exercise their importance
The Triger – Mukden Incident 1931
- Night of 18th September 1931
- Explosion on south Manchurian Railway line – just outside city of Mukden
- Japan claims this was Chinese sabotage and the Chinese then opened fire on the Kwantung army
(Japan) – had to defend themselves. Chinese claim their army was in the barracks asleep!
- Kwantung army take over and rename area Manchukuo and install Pu Yi (ex-Chinese emperor as a
puppet ruler)
- Manchukuo officially Japanese Colony by 1932
- 1932 Japan planes and gunships bombed Shanghai
Where is Manchuria
- In 1905 Russo – Japanese war, Japan had gained control of much of Manchuria
- 1910 Japan formally annexed (take over) Korea
- Japan was on the ark – run by rich families (The Mitsubishi family)
- Japan based troops in the South of Manchuria to guard the South Manchuria railway line – it
brought raw materials and goods back to Japan
- Manchuria had fertile farming land (rice) – rich in coal and iron and has large fields for rice ore –
Japan was mountains in comparison and limited the ability to farm
Economic Crisis and Depression
- Economic
Raw materials – their population had increased to 65 million and industry rapidly
developed – desperately needed to import raw materials and food to sustain industry
and population
- Impact of Wall Street Crash
Japan trades a lot of silk and was being sent to the US, during the depression the price of
silk dropped by 1/5 – walk street crash caused Japan to crash and had to keep much of
their resources to survive, but they still wanted to trade
Chief export of Japan was silk but because of USA, there was no longer demand, so price
fell in 1931 to1/5th of its 1922 value.
Industry in general suffered Employment and production fell by 30% between 1929 and
1931
- Manchuria offered raw materials such as Coal and Iron ore and fertile farmland to grow food
such as rice. Equally would provide export market.
Militarism
- Warrior tradition – army sign of prestige and status. Honour to die for Emperor and there was a
strict code: never be captured, never break down, and never surrendered - “Death before
dishonour”
- 1922 Washington Naval Agreement (followed on from W. Conference of 1921) – Japan felt treated
unfairly only 3 warships to every 5 British and USA – Japan could not tryst allies or own policies
- Army experts more control in Japan than politicians – had reputation for assassinating politicians or
anyone connected to them e.g., 1928 Warlord Change Tso Lin assassinated because army felt
government policy of friendship towards hir wrong. 1932 PM even killed by group of soldiers
- Japan was eager to use their army partly because of the central role they played in society but
equally because they felt maligned by other world powers and wanted to exercise their importance
The Triger – Mukden Incident 1931
- Night of 18th September 1931
- Explosion on south Manchurian Railway line – just outside city of Mukden
- Japan claims this was Chinese sabotage and the Chinese then opened fire on the Kwantung army
(Japan) – had to defend themselves. Chinese claim their army was in the barracks asleep!
- Kwantung army take over and rename area Manchukuo and install Pu Yi (ex-Chinese emperor as a
puppet ruler)
- Manchukuo officially Japanese Colony by 1932
- 1932 Japan planes and gunships bombed Shanghai
