September 18, 1931. An explosion damages the Japanese-owned South Manchurian Railway near Mukden. Japan claims Chinese saboteurs are responsible and uses this as an excuse to invade the entire region — an area three times the size of Britain. The explosion was almost certainly staged by Japanese army officers. China appealed to the League of Nations. What followed exposed the League as a "paper tiger" — lots of words, no action. The Lytton Report condemned Japan in October 1932; the League formally voted in February 1933; Japan simply walked out in March 1933. Manchuria remained in Japanese hands, renamed "Manchukuo."

▶ Manchuria Crisis - History Matters (4 mins)

This introduction covers Setting the Scene within Manchuria Crisis for GCSE History. Revise Manchuria Crisis in Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 1 of 13 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Practice questions for Manchuria Crisis

What was the Mukden Incident of September 1931?

A. Chinese troops attacked the Japanese garrison at Mukden, beginning the war
B. A staged explosion on the South Manchurian Railway used by Japan as a pretext to invade Manchuria
C. The League of Nations passed a resolution condemning Japan's aggression at Mukden
D. Japan formally declared war on China after clashes at the Mukden garrison

1 markfoundation

What was 'Manchukuo', created by Japan in 1932?

A. A Japanese province annexed directly into the Japanese Empire after the conquest of Manchuria
B. A League of Nations administered territory placed under international supervision after Japan's invasion
C. A puppet state in Manchuria with China's last emperor Pu Yi installed as a figurehead ruler
D. A Chinese nationalist government set up to resist Japanese occupation of Manchuria

1 markfoundation

Setting the Scene

Practice questions for Manchuria Crisis

Quick recall flashcards

8 questions on Manchuria Crisis: practise free