Japan’s Path to War

• September 1931, Japanese soldiers seized Manchuria– natural resources

• Reasoning was the “Mukden incident”

- done by Japanese soldiers in disguise

League of Nations goes to investigate

• Issues condemnation and Japan withdraws from the league.

• Japan strengthened its hold in Manchuria (Manchukuo) and began to expand into Northern China.

• By the mid 1930’s military militants had control of Japanese politics.

Japan vs. China• Chiang appeased

the Japanese at first allowing them to expand into northern China.

• Eventually he decide to resist and a major conflict broke out.

• Japan wanted to form the New Order and guide all Asain nations toward modernization.

• Thought there would be an alliance with Germany vs. Russia and the 2 countries would divide the resources between them.

• When the Nonaggression Pact was signed, Japan had to look elsewhere (southeast Asia). This would risk war with Europe and America.

• 1940: Japan demands access to resources in French Indochina (Vietnam).

• The U.S. refuses and threatens sanctions (oil and scrap iron)

Japan’s Dilemma• Begin to formulate plans of a surprise

attack on the U.S. and European colonies in S.E. Asia