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Conflict and Tension 1918-1939Key Facts

Timeline of the Manchurian Crisis

Part of Manchuria Crisis — GCSE History

This key facts covers Timeline of the Manchurian Crisis within Manchuria Crisis for GCSE History. Revise Manchuria Crisis in Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 2 of 13 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 13

Practice

8 questions

Recall

5 flashcards

📅 Timeline of the Manchurian Crisis

DateEvent
Sept 1931"Mukden Incident" — explosion on South Manchurian Railway, almost certainly staged by Japanese officers (Kwantung Army)
Sept–Dec 1931Japan invades and rapidly conquers all of Manchuria; Chinese troops ordered not to resist by Chiang Kai-shek
Jan 1932Japan attacks Shanghai (separate incident); bombards civilian areas
1932Manchuria renamed "Manchukuo" — puppet state; last Chinese Emperor Puyi installed as figurehead ruler
1932League sends Lytton Commission to investigate — takes a full year to report
Oct 1933Lytton Report published: condemns Japan as aggressor; recommends Manchuria be returned to China
Mar 1933Japan formally walks out of the League of Nations
1933–37Japan continues to expand into northern China; League imposes no further action

Why the League Failed — Six Reasons

  • Too slow: The Lytton Commission took a full year to investigate. Japan had completely conquered Manchuria before the report was even written. Speed of investigation: glacial. Speed of Japanese conquest: complete in four months.
  • Economic sanctions were never imposed: The League did not apply any economic sanctions against Japan. The USA — Japan's biggest trading partner — was not in the League and would not cooperate with sanctions. Without America, sanctions were pointless.
  • No military action: Britain and France refused to risk war with Japan. Both had extensive Asian colonies (Hong Kong, Singapore, Indochina) that a hostile Japan could threaten. Their own security interests came before collective security principles.
  • Too far away: Manchuria was 5,000 miles from Europe. Neither Britain nor France was willing to send troops across half the world for a country they barely knew.
  • Great Depression distracted: The Wall Street Crash (1929) and the Great Depression meant all countries were focused on their own economic crises. Public opinion in Britain and France was firmly anti-war and anti-spending.
  • Self-interest: Britain had significant trade and investment interests in Japan. Imposing sanctions would hurt British business. The self-interest of the major powers once again trumped collective security.

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    Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Manchuria Crisis. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

    Setting the SceneWhy This Mattered — The Long-Term ConsequencesWhy Did Japan Invade Manchuria? — Connected Causation⭐ Why Does This Matter?

    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

    Quick Recall Flashcards

    What was the Mukden Incident?
    Sept 1931 — staged explosion on railway gave Japan excuse to invade Manchuria
    What was Manchukuo?
    Puppet state created by Japan in Manchuria with Pu Yi as figurehead

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    Setting the Scene

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    Why This Mattered — The Long-Term Consequences