Japanese expansion in East Asia, 1931-1941

Political developments within China

In 1936, the Nationalists (Guomindang) and the Communists in China formed a Second United Front to resist the Japanese invasion of China. This alliance helped to temporarily unite the two sides and to bolster China's resistance to Japan's expansionist policies. However, the alliance was fragile and was ultimately unable to prevent Japan's advance.

Second United Front (1936)

In 1936, the Nationalists (Guomindang) and the Communists in China formed a Second United Front to resist the Japanese invasion of China. This alliance helped to temporarily unite the two sides and to bolster China's resistance to Japan.

Japanese incursion into Indochina (1940)

In 1940, Japan entered into an agreement with the French colonial authorities in Indochina that allowed Japan to station troops in the region. This move was part of Japan's expansionist policies and was motivated by a desire to secure resources and markets for Japan and to assert Japan's dominance over the region.

Tripartite pact

In 1940, Japan, Italy, and Germany signed the Tripartite Pact, which was an agreement to strengthen the military and economic ties between the three countries and to counter the influence of the Western powers. The pact played a role in Japan's expansionist policies, as it helped to solidify Japan's alliance with Germany and Italy and to assert Japan's influence in the world.

Manchuria (1931)

Japan invaded Manchuria and northern China in 1931, a move that was driven by a combination of economic, military, and ideological factors. Japan's leaders saw the invasion as a way to secure resources and markets for Japan and to assert Japan's dominance over China.

Need for living space (Cause)

Japan is a small island nation with a limited supply of natural resources. Some Japanese leaders and citizens believed that the country needed to expand in order to have enough land and resources to support its growing population.

Domestic economic problems (Cause)

Japan was hit hard by the Great Depression in the 1930s, and this economic downturn contributed to the country's expansionist policies. Japan's leaders saw expansion as a way to boost the economy and create jobs, which helped to maintain support from the public.

Domestic political instability (Cause)

Japan was plagued by political instability in the 1930s, with a number of assassinations and attempted coups taking place. This instability contributed to Japan's expansionist policies, as Japan's leaders saw expansion as a way to distract from the country's domestic problems and unite the country behind a common cause.

Pearl Harbor, 1941

Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was a major turning point in World War II and had significant consequences for the world. One factor that contributed to Japan's decision to attack Pearl Harbor was the United States' oil embargo on Japan in July 1941 to pressure Japan to withdraw from China. Japan relied heavily on imported oil to fuel its military and its economy, and the embargo had a severe impact on Japan.

Anti-western sentiment (Cause)

Japan's expansionist policies were often driven by a sense of resentment and frustration towards the Western powers, which were seen as having treated Japan unfairly in the past.

Nationalism (Cause)

Japan's leaders and many of its citizens believed in the superiority of Japanese culture and the right of Japan to dominate other countries and peoples. This sense of national pride and destiny fueled Japan's expansionist ambitions.

Lytton Report (1932)

League of Nations and the Lytton report: In response to Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931, the League of Nations appointed a commission of inquiry, led by Lord Lytton, to investigate the situation. The commission's report, known as the Lytton report, condemned Japan's actions and called for Japan to withdraw from Manchuria. However, the report was seen as a weak response to Japan's aggression and had little impact on Japan's actions.

Militarism (Cause)

The Japanese military played a significant role in driving Japan's expansionist policies. Military leaders believed that expansion was necessary to secure the resources and territory needed to build a strong and prosperous Japan.

Marco-Polo Bridge Incident (1937)

The Marco-Polo bridge incident was a skirmish between Chinese and Japanese forces that took place near Beijing in 1937. The incident is often seen as the spark that ignited the Sino-Japanese War, as it led to a full-scale invasion of China.

Nanjing massacre (1937)

The Nanjing massacre was a mass killing of Chinese civilians and prisoners of war by Japanese troops in the city of Nanjing in 1937. The massacre was a horrific example of Japan's expansionist policies and the brutality of the Sino-Japanese War.

Sino-Japanese War (1937-1941)

The Sino-Japanese War was a conflict between China and Japan that lasted from 1937 to 1941. The war was sparked by Japan's invasion of China in 1937, which was driven by a desire to secure resources and markets for Japan.

Instability of China (Cause)

China was embroiled in a civil war in the 1930s between the Nationalists (Guomindang) and the Communists, which further destabilized the country. Japan's leaders saw China's instability as an opportunity to assert Japan's influence in the region and to secure resources and markets.

Racial superiority (Cause)

Some Japanese leaders and citizens believed in the superiority of the Japanese race and saw Japan's expansion as a way to spread Japanese culture and values to other countries and peoples.

Tripartite Pact (1940)

The Three Power/Tripartite Pact was an agreement between Japan, Italy, and Germany that was signed in 1940. The pact was motivated by a desire to strengthen the military and economic ties between the three countries and to counter the influence of the Western powers.

US initiatives and increasing tensions between the US and Japan

The United States played a significant role in trying to counter Japan's expansionist policies. The United States imposed economic sanctions on Japan, including embargoes on steel and oil, and provided military assistance to China to help it resist Japan's invasion. These actions helped to increase tensions between the United States and Japan and contributed to the deterioration of relations between the two countries. The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was the culmination of these tensions and marked the entry of the United States into the Second World War.

International response to the Second Sino-Japanese War

The international community responded to Japan's invasion of China in a number of ways. Some countries, such as the Soviet Union, provided military assistance to China to help it resist Japan's invasion. Other countries, such as the United States, tried to pressure Japan through economic measures, such as embargoes and sanctions. However, the international response was generally weak and ineffective in stopping Japan's expansion.