Japan's Expansion and International Responses (1930s-1940s)

League of Nations and Japan's Expansion

  • Role of the League of Nations:
    • Focused heavily on European affairs during the late 1930s.
    • Acknowledged the limits of its influence over Japan and China.
    • Anti-communist sentiments among member states (except the USSR) reduced pressure to take action against Japan.
  • Japanese Actions in China:
    • Japan's aggressive actions were met with disapproval, yet many nations hoped it would counter Soviet influence in Asia.
    • Many League nations viewed China as chaotic and corrupt, thus unwilling to intervene in favor of China.
  • China's Appeal to the League:
    • On September 13, 1937, China appealed for assistance from the League.
    • The League referred the matter to the signatories of the Nine-Power Treaty concerned with Pacific security, without any significant outcome.
    • The League's inaction and loss of credibility were further exacerbated by the Abyssinian Crisis.

The Soviet Union's Response

  • Soviet Union's Position:
    • Supported by Japan's invasions as it removed pressure from its borders, especially concerning Manchukuo.
    • Provided military support (tanks, aircraft, ammunition) to Chiang Kai-shek’s unified government after Japan's pressure on the KMT (Kuomintang) ended persecution of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) in 1936.
  • Formation of the Second United Front:
    • The USSR facilitated the Second United Front between the KMT and CCP to unify Chinese resistance against Japan.
    • Chiang’s agreement involved military strategies to fend off Japanese forces, but resulted in overwhelming Japanese military engagements.
  • Military Provocations:
    • The USSR strategically provoked Japan into conflict in Lake Khasan, diverting Japanese focus from China, thus aiding Chinese forces.
  • Continued Aid:
    • Between 1938 and 1941, the USSR provided significant military aid to China; loans included fighter planes and military advisors.
    • Support wavered only after Germany invaded the USSR in 1941.

American Response to Japanese Expansion

  • USA’s Foreign Policy:
    • Aimed to maintain its Open Door Policy to facilitate trade with China while managing its disapproval of Japanese aggression.
    • Initially prohibited weapon shipments to both sides in September 1937, negatively impacting China due to Japan's self-sufficiency in weapons manufacturing.
  • Economic Relations:
    • Continued supplying essential materials like oil to Japan until sanctions intensified in 1940.
    • Incidents like the sinking of a U.S. ship by Japanese forces in December 1937 caused temporary diplomatic friction but were resolved quickly.
  • Gradual Involvement:
    • A loan of $25 million was given to China in early 1938.
    • Direct involvement increased mainly in 1940 as Japan expanded beyond China.

Germany's Position

  • Germany's Support of China:
    • Supplied arms and military advisors to the Nationalist government, aligning with its anti-communist stance.
    • Despite supporting the KMT, the export of military supplies continued until Japan pressured Germany in late 1938.
  • Anti-Comintern Pact:
    • An agreement between Germany and Japan to oppose communism led to tensions as Japan focused on China instead of Russia.

Treatment of Chinese Peasants

  • Guerrilla Warfare:
    • Guerrilla fighters emerged, targeting Japanese forces and collaborators, amidst severe reprisals from the Japanese against local peasants.
  • Peasant Treatment:
    • Japanese military actions aimed to instill fear in peasants, often resorting to terrorism to maintain control and suppress resistance.
  • Loss of Support for Nationalists:
    • Corruption within the Nationalist regime and harsh actions like flooding the Yellow River led to significant civilian and military casualties, undermining public support.
    • The CCP capitalized on Nationalist mismanagement, gaining favor among the populace by offering better treatment and a vision for post-war governance.

Collapse of the Second United Front

  • Stress on the Alliance:
    • The partnership between CCP and KMT deteriorated, highlighted by mutual distrust and violence.
  • End of Cooperation:
    • By 1941, conflicts and executions by the KMT against communists marked the official end of the united front against Japan, leading to further loss of support for the Nationalist regime.
  • Consequences:
    • The CCP gained popular support through its portrayal of the KMT as corrupt and ineffectual against Japanese expansion, ultimately shaping the landscape for post-war China.