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 15 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. 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.

📅 Timeline of the Manchurian Crisis

Date	Event
Sept 1931	"Mukden Incident" — explosion on South Manchurian Railway, almost certainly staged by Japanese officers (Kwantung Army)
Sept–Dec 1931	Japan invades and rapidly conquers all of Manchuria; Chinese troops ordered not to resist by Chiang Kai-shek
Jan 1932	Japan attacks Shanghai (separate incident); bombards civilian areas
1932	Manchuria renamed "Manchukuo" — puppet state; last Chinese Emperor Puyi installed as figurehead ruler
1932	League sends Lytton Commission to investigate — takes a full year to report
Oct 1933	Lytton Report published: condemns Japan as aggressor; recommends Manchuria be returned to China
Mar 1933	Japan formally walks out of the League of Nations
1933–37	Japan 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.

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

Setting the Scene

Why This Mattered — The Long-Term Consequences

Timeline of the Manchurian Crisis