International Relations 5.20 - The collapse of collective security

When did Japan begin its invasion of Manchuria?

September 1931

How did the Japanese Army justify invading Manchuria?

They blew up a bomb on the Japanese-owned South Manchurian Railway and blamed it on the Chinese. Within hors, troops were invading.

How did the League of Nations respond to Japanese aggression in Manchuria?

They set up a commission to investigate on 10th December 1931, and a party arrived in February 1932. However, this was obstructed by Japanese forces, and the League made no firm actions.

Why did the League fail to take firm action in the wake of the Manchurian crisis?

The British were tied up by their former alliance with Japan and interests to protect China. They could also not afford to send a peacekeeping force that far east due to the Great Depression. The USA also refused to intervene.

How did Japan respond to the League’s lack of action?

By furthering their expansion into China, renaming Manchuria Manchukuo and installing the former Chinese emperor as a puppet ruler.

When and what was the Lytton Report?

October 1932; the League’s official condemnation of the Manchurian invasion, over a year after its beginning.

What was the international response to the Lytton Report?

All members of the League voted in favour, except Japan, who walked out of the negotiations. Talks continued into 1933, and a new commission was drafted. Japan ignored this as well and left the League permanently in March 1933.

When did Mussolini invade Abyssinia?

October 1935

Outline the invasion of Abyssinia?

In Late 1934, Mussolini began to send troops to the border in hopes of a provocation. A skirmish in which 30 Italian soldiers were killed prompted discussion in the league, but they did nothing an Mussolini ordered a full scale invasion in October 1935. The invasion was swiftly executed, as Mussolini’s forces were far more equipped than the Ethiopians. Victory was declared in May 1936.

Why did Mussolini risk the invasion of Abyssinia?

The Rome Agreements and Stresa pact prevented the intervention of Britain and France, and he also calculated that they would be more preoccupied with Hitler’s actions in Northern Europe

How did the League respond to Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia?

Though they were quick to declare Italy the aggressor, the depression prevented them from committing a force to drive them out. Instead, Britain led the boycott of Italian trade. However, tarade of fossil fuels was not restricted.

Why were the League’s sanctions on Italy ultimately pointless?

They didn’t restrict trade of coal or oil due to a necessity to keep supplies up, and this formed the bulk of Italy’s export economy. Furthermore, the British and French were forced to keep the Suez Canal open, making Italian access to the Abyssinian coast easier.

How did the invasions of Manchuria and Abyssinia affect the international atmosphere.

It showed that the League was ultimately toothless and signified to dictators that they could get away with basically anything. This would lead to Hitler’s actions leading up to the invasion of Poland in 1939.

What was ultimately the driving force behind the League’s inaction?

The great depression