Why did Japan invade Manchuria in 1931?
Where is Manchuria?
- In 1905 Russo-Japanese war, Japan had gained
control of much of Manchuria
- 1910 Jp formally annexed Korea
- Jp based troops in the South of Manchuria to
guard the South Manchurian railway line – it
brought raw materials and goods back to Japan
- Manchuria had fertile farming land (rice) – rich
in coal and iron ore - Japan was mountainous in
comparison and limited ability to farm.
Economic Crisis and Depression:
Why do Japan invade Manchuria?
- 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
Chief export of Japan was silk but because of USA, there was no
longer demand, so price fell in 1931 to1/5 th 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
- Strict code: never be captured, never break down, and never
surrender. "Death before dishonour"
- 1922 Washington Naval Agreement (followed on from Washington
Conference of 1921) – Japan felt treated unfairly only 3 warships to
every 5 Britain and USA
- Japan could not trust allies or own politicians
- Army exerts more control in Janp than politicians – had reputation for
assassinating politicians or anyone connected to them e.g., 1928
Warlord Chang Tso Lin assassinated because army felt gov policy of
friendship towards him wrong.
- 1932 PM even killed by group of soldiers!
- Japan wanted to show how skilled their army was
- They wanted the world to know they were irritated by the Washington
Agreement
Where is Manchuria?
- In 1905 Russo-Japanese war, Japan had gained
control of much of Manchuria
- 1910 Jp formally annexed Korea
- Jp based troops in the South of Manchuria to
guard the South Manchurian railway line – it
brought raw materials and goods back to Japan
- Manchuria had fertile farming land (rice) – rich
in coal and iron ore - Japan was mountainous in
comparison and limited ability to farm.
Economic Crisis and Depression:
Why do Japan invade Manchuria?
- 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
Chief export of Japan was silk but because of USA, there was no
longer demand, so price fell in 1931 to1/5 th 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
- Strict code: never be captured, never break down, and never
surrender. "Death before dishonour"
- 1922 Washington Naval Agreement (followed on from Washington
Conference of 1921) – Japan felt treated unfairly only 3 warships to
every 5 Britain and USA
- Japan could not trust allies or own politicians
- Army exerts more control in Janp than politicians – had reputation for
assassinating politicians or anyone connected to them e.g., 1928
Warlord Chang Tso Lin assassinated because army felt gov policy of
friendship towards him wrong.
- 1932 PM even killed by group of soldiers!
- Japan wanted to show how skilled their army was
- They wanted the world to know they were irritated by the Washington
Agreement
