Manchuria

Why did Japan invade Manchuria?

Since 1900 Japan’s economy and population had been growing rapidly and by the 1920s Japan was a major power. However the depression hit Japan badly, China and USA put up tariffs against Japanese goods. The collapse of the American marker put the Japanese economy in crisis as the import of Japanese products, such as rice, which was being over produced. There was little money for the people of Japan. An area was needed where there were resources which could support their fallen economy, and to house their growing population.

                In 1931 an incident in Manchuria gave them the opportunity they had been looking for to expand the Japanese Empire. As the Japanese army controlled the South Manchurian Railway, they claimed that Chinese soldiers had sabotaged the railway, and as a result they overran Manchuria and in 1932 set up a puppet government. The Japanese invaded Manchuria as it had great resources which consisted of iron and coal and it was a very easy target. A great feature was also that they controlled the railway therefore allowing easy import and exports of goods, enhancing the speed and reliability of trade.

                China appealed to the League. Japan claimed it was not invading as an aggressor, but simply settling a local difficulty. The Japanese argued that China was in such a state of anarchy that they had to invade in self-defence to keep peace in the area.

                The main reason for taking Manchuria was due to the collapse of the Japanese economy, and also because the Japanese where looking to expand their empire especially in China, and this was a place where it was weak and the Japanese had easy access to. Also there was no prospect at all of Britain and France risking their navies or armies in a war with Japan, and the only way the Japanese would leave Manchuria was by force.