League of Nations (B2)

Question 1

JAPAN IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Answer 1

Modernization: Rapid, Western-style.
* New constitution, parliament (limited suffrage).
* Industrialization, infrastructure, tech.
* Growth of cities, new businesses.
Military & Expansion:
* Victories: Sino-Japanese War (1894-5), Russo-Japanese War (1904-5).
* Annexation of Taiwan (1895), Korea (1910).
* Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902).
* Gained control of Pacific islands, Manchuria.
Domestic Issues:
* Economic strain, social inequality.
* Growing nationalism, militarism.
* Desire for equal footing with West.
* Belief in Japan’s leadership in Asia.
* Active in disarmament treaties (initially).

Question 2

MUKDEN INCIDENT (SEPT 18, 1931)

Answer 2

• Cause: Explosion on South Manchurian Railway (owned by Japan).
• Japanese Claim: Chinese nationalists responsible.
• Reality: Likely staged by Japanese Kwantung Army.
• Outcome:
  
  • Japan seized control of Manchuria.
  • Established puppet state “Manchukuo” (1932).
  • League of Nations condemned Japan.
  • Japan withdrew from the League.
• Justification: Protecting Japanese interests, resources, and settlement.
• Domestic Support: High for quick victory. Military acted independently.

Question 3

REASONS FOR INVASION OF MANCHURIA (1931)

Answer 3

• Economic:
  
  • Depression hit Japan hard.
  • Needed markets & raw materials (coal, iron, timber, oil).
  • US tariffs hurt Japanese exports.
  • Manchuria as economic lifeline.
• Political/Military:
  
  • Growing militarism & nationalism.
  • Military influence in politics.
  • Desire for strategic buffer against USSR.
  • Expansion seen as solution to population/food issues.
• Ideological:
  
  • Japan believed superior, destined to lead Asia.
  • Resentment of Western influence/restrictions.
  • Nationalism fueled expansionist propaganda.

Question 4

LYTTON REPORT (1932)

Answer 4

• Context: League of Nations response to Manchurian invasion.
• Findings:
  
  • Invasion NOT legitimate self-defense.
  • Japan violated China’s sovereignty.
  • Manchukuo was a “Japanese protectorate.”
• Recommendations:
  
  • Manchuria should have autonomy under Chinese sovereignty.
• Impact:
  
  • Japan rejected the report.
  • US didn’t recognize Manchukuo or agree with Japan’s actions.
  • League of Nations condemned Japan.
  • Japan later withdrew from the League.
• US Role: Observed, advocated for Open Door Policy, no strong intervention.

Question 5

IMPACTS OF LON RESPONSE TO MANCHURIA

Answer 5

• LON Action: Condemned Japan, weak sanctions.
• Japan: Withdrew, continued expansion.
• LON Weakness: Ineffective, slow, major powers unwilling to act.
• Consequences: Damaged LON authority, emboldened aggressors (Italy, Germany), arguably encouraged Axis, led to further crises.

Question 6

ITALIAN FOREIGN POLICY

Answer 6

• Goals: Revive Roman Empire, expand in Mediterranean/Africa.
• Early Actions: Corfu Incident, Fiume acquisition.
• LON Involvement: Initially cooperative, later defied.
• Aggressive Shift (1935): Pursuit of Italianità, expansionist aims.
• Key Events:
  
  • Invasion of Abyssinia (Ethiopia).
  • Support for Franco in Spanish Civil War.
  • Alliance with Nazi Germany.
• Motivations:
  
  • Nationalism, prestige.
  • Economic needs, resources.
  • Weakness of LON.
  • Desire for great power status.
• Impact: Undermined LON, contributed to international tensions.

Question 7

ABYSSINIAN CRISIS (1935-36)

Answer 7

• Reasons for Invasion:
  
  • Italian humiliation (1896 defeat).
  • Desire for colonies, resources, prestige.
  • Strategic location.
• Wal-Wal Incident (Dec 1934): Border clash, Italian pretext for invasion.
• LON Appeal (Jan 1935): Haile Selassie sought arbitration.
• Failed Diplomacy: British/French attempts to appease Italy.
• Invasion (Oct 1935): Italy attacked Abyssinia.
• LON Response: Condemned Italy, imposed weak sanctions.
• Outcome: Italian victory, annexation of Abyssinia.
• Significance: Showed LON’s weakness, encouraged Axis aggression.

Question 8

ITALIAN INVASION OF ABYSSINIA + INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

Answer 8

• Italian Invasion (Oct 1935): Large force, modern weapons vs. Ethiopians.
• LON Response: Declared Italy aggressor, imposed weak economic sanctions (delayed, key items excluded).
• Limited Impact: Sanctions ineffective due to loopholes, US non-participation.
• Hoare-Laval Pact (Dec 1935): Secret British/French plan to appease Italy (failed).
• Occupation: Italian forces occupied Addis Ababa (May 1936).
• LON Failure: Showed weakness, appeasement, inability to enforce decisions.
• Consequences: Further emboldened Axis powers, undermined League’s authority.

Question 9

SIGNIFICANCE OF ABYSSINIA CRISIS

Answer 9

• LON Failure: Destroyed credibility, showed weakness, ineffective action.
• Appeasement: Britain/France unwilling to intervene strongly.
• International Inaction: Individual nations acted unilaterally.
• Aggressors Emboldened: Japan, Italy acted decisively.
• Axis Cooperation: Closer ties between Mussolini & Hitler.
• Anti-Comintern Pact (1936/37): Germany, Italy, Japan.
• Weakened Democracy: Alliance opposed to democracy.
• Path to WWII: Ultimately led Italy to join Germany’s side.
• Rhineland Remilitarization (1936): Encouraged by LON inaction.

Question 10

NAZI FOREIGN POLICY (1933-36)

Answer 10

• Goals: Overturn Versailles Treaty, Pan-Germanism, prepare for war.
• Early Actions: Withdrew from LON, rearmament, opposed disarmament.
• Rhineland Remilitarization (March 1936): Defied Treaty, LON did nothing.
• Weak International Response:
  
  • Fear of war, appeasement.
  • Focus on internal problems.
  • LON unable to act effectively.
• British/French Policy: Appeasement, avoid war, make concessions.
• Significance: Showed Hitler’s aggression, LON’s weakness, encouraged further expansion.

Question 11

THE ANSCHLUSS (1938)

Answer 11

• Definition: Annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany.
• Background: Strong pro-German sentiment in Austria.
• Key Events:
  
  • Pressure on Austrian government by Nazis.
  • Hitler demanded Schuschnigg appoint pro-Nazis.
  • Schuschnigg called plebiscite, Hitler opposed.
  • German troops invaded (March 12).
  • Rigged plebiscite “approved” Anschluss.
• International Reaction: Negative, but limited. French government collapsed. Britain did nothing.
• Significance: Another violation of Versailles Treaty, showed Western weakness, increased German power.

Question 12

CZECHOSLOVAKIA (1938-39)

Answer 12

• Strategic Location: Surrounded by Germany.
• Sudetenland Crisis: Large German minority, Hitler demanded annexation.
• Munich Agreement (Sept 1938): Britain, France, Italy appeased Hitler, gave him Sudetenland. Czechoslovakia not consulted.
• Western Weakness: Fear of war, believed Hitler’s claims.
• Hitler’s Betrayal: Occupied rest of Czechoslovakia (March 1939).
• Consequences: End of appeasement, showed Hitler’s true intentions, led to increased tensions and WWII.
• Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia: Established by Germany.