Ineffectiveness of the League of Nations in 1930s

• The Manchurian Crisis


  • Japan began to see building an empire as a means to protect their economy.

  • Manchuria was rich in coal and iron and was seen as a solution to Japan’s lack of natural resources.

  • China’s instability provided the opportunity for Japan to annex Manchuria.

  • In September 1931, Ishiwara’s forces blew up part of the railway track at Mukden

  • They blamed the Chinese government and used it as an excuse to take over Manchuria.

  • By December, the Japanese controlled most of the region.

  • In February 1932, they set up a puppet government in Manchuria.
• Response of the League of Nations

  • Instead of withdrawing, Japan announced it intended to occupy more of China.
  • The Lytton Report was approved by the General Assembly, asking for Japan’s withdrawal on 24 Feb 1933.
  • Japan rejected it and resigned from the League on 27 March.
  • Britain did not sanction Japan as it wanted to maintain a good relationship with Japan.
  • Arms sales were not banned on Japan because member states could not agree.
  • Britain and France did not want to risk their navies and armies.
  • USA and USSR had the resources but they were not League members
• Consequences of ineffective

  • This tarnished the prestige of the League, undermined the confidence of the League to handle future crises.
  • It encouraged Japan to further expand into Asia.
  • Japan now had access to resources for its growing industries,
  • The Manchurian Crisis increased the prominence of the military.
  • Japanese policies were increasingly driven by ideas which promoted expansion.
• Japanese Aggression towards China 1933 – 1940

  • Encouraged by success of Manchuria, Japan became increasingly aggressive towards China and gradual takeover other parts in China till 1940.
• Impact of WWII in Europe

  • As war broke out in China, war on its way to Europe.
  • This was advantageous to Japan.
  • USSR became less of a threat as USSR had to defend itself against Germany’s attack.
  • It gave Japan opportunity to take over the colonies of Western powers in Asia-Pacific.
  • By 1941 it took control of French Indochina.