1.2 Japanese Expansion in East Asia: Events

Question 1

Amur River Society

Answer 1

Ultranationalist group influencing Japanese foreign policy via sabotage and assassinations

Question 2

Kwantung Army

Answer 2

Militaristic faction responsible for invasion of Manchuria

Question 3

Northern Expedition (1926-27)

Answer 3

Attempt by the GMD and CCP to unify China

Question 4

Zhang Zuolin

Answer 4

Manchurian warlord assassinated by Kwantung Army in 1928

Question 5

Manchuria

Answer 5

Region rich in coal, iron, and cheap labor - targeted by Japan for economic and military expansion

Question 6

South Manchurian Railway (SMR)

Answer 6

Key economic asset in Manchuria controlled by Japan

Question 7

Mukden Incident (1931)

Answer 7

Staged event used as justification for Japan’s invasion of Manchuria

Question 8

Manchukuo (1932)

Answer 8

Puppet state installed by Japan in Manchuria

Question 9

Tanggu Truce (1933)

Answer 9

Agreement forcing China to recognize Manchukuo and establish a demilitarized zone

Question 10

Lytton Report

Answer 10

League of nations and US international condemnation of Japan’s actions in Manchuria, leading to Japan leaving the league

Question 11

Kodo-ha (Imperial Way Faction)

Answer 11

Ultranationalist military faction supporting the “Strike North” policy

Question 12

Tosei-ha (Control Faction)

Answer 12

Ultranationalist military faction supporting the “Strike South” policy

Question 13

May 15th Incident (1932)

Answer 13

Assassination of Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai by military extremists

Question 14

Anti-Comintern Pact (1936)

Answer 14

Anti-communist alliance between Japan, Nazi Germany, and Fascist Italy

Question 15

Marco Polo Bridge Incident (1937)

Answer 15

Clash between Chinese and Japanese troops leading to full-scale war

Question 16

Prince Konoe Fumimaro

Answer 16

Prime Minister of Japan who supported expansionism

Question 17

Shanghai and Nanjing (1937)

Answer 17

Key Chinese cities captured by Japan

Question 18

Nanjing Massacre (1937-38)

Answer 18

Atrocities committed by Japanese troops, including mass killings and sexual violence

Question 19

National Mobilization Act (1938)

Answer 19

Law putting Japan in a permanent state of wartime readiness

Question 20

New Order in East Asia (1938)

Answer 20

Japanese policy restricting China’s trade to Japan’s benefit

Question 21

Chongqing

Answer 21

New capital of Chinese GMD government, viewed as weak in resisting Japan

Question 22

Guerilla Warfare

Answer 22

Tactics used by CCP to resist Japanese occupation

Question 23

Mao Zedong

Answer 23

Leader of CCP who portrayed his forces as defenders of China

Question 24

Nine-Power Treaty Conference (1937)

Answer 24

International attempt to negotiate peace in China, which failed

Question 25

Isolationism

Answer 25

US policy of avoiding involvement in foreign conflicts before WWII

Question 26

Tripartite Pact (1940)

Answer 26

Alliance between Japan, Germany, and Italy

Question 27

Zaibatsu

Answer 27

Large business corporations supporting Japan's military expansion

Question 28

Tianjin Incident (1939)

Answer 28

Japanese naval blockade of a British-controlled settlement in China

Question 29

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

Answer 29

Japan's vision of an empire free from Western influence

Question 30

Japanese-Soviet Neutrality Pact (1941)

Answer 30

Agreement ensuring Japan would not attack the Soviet Union

Question 31

Economic Sanctions (1941)

Answer 31

US restrictions on Japanese oil and raw materials

Question 32

Hull Note (Nov 27, 1941)

Answer 32

US ultimatum demanding Japan withdraw from China and Indochina

Question 33

Pearl Harbor Attack (Dec 7, 1941)

Answer 33

Surprise military strike on the US Pacific Fleet

Question 34

War Declaration (December 8, 1941)

Answer 34

US declares war on Japan, Germany and Italy declare war on US

Question 35

Executive Order 9066

Answer 35

US policy forcing Japanese Americans into internment camps