Manchuria is a historical region of China comprising the modern provinces of Liaoning (south), Jilin (central) and Heilongjiang (north) and the north-eastern part, Inner Mongolia, which it was attacked by the Japanese in the 1930s. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Japanese wanted to expand their empire because their population was increasing rapidly. An overpopulated country would have been easily accommodated if they had another 200,000 square kilometers to add, that's why they took Manchuria. Manchuria was also rich in minerals, agricultural land and forests, which Japan needed. In 1929, the Depression hit Japan hard. The civilian government seemed helpless in the eyes of the military because it could find no solution to the worldwide Depression. Instead of looking for strength in politicians, Japan looked for strength in the military to help them in their troubled situation. Senior army generals were supporting a campaign to conquer some overseas colonies so that the industries there could be exploited for Japan. Manchuria was the most obvious subject to invade. The South Manchurian Railway was sabotaged by the Japanese army. They used the explosion that occurred on a section of the railway as an excuse to blame the local citizens. Then they occupied the city of Shenyang. China turned to the League of Nations. The League claimed that the Japanese were completely wrong and should return Manchuria to China. The Japanese government accepted this request. However, Japan did not listen and continued to invade much of Manchuria. By the end of 1931 all of Manchuria had been conquered by Japan. By this point the civilian government had lost all control of Japan and the military. The League was trying to find ways to stop Japan. Using verbal warnings didn't work, and stopping trade with Japan wouldn't work either. Stopping trade with Japan would be crucial due to the Depression, and they desperately need supplies. Furthermore, another country would take their place and receive supplies from the most powerful nation in the Far East. Lord Lytton of Great Britain led a commission of inquiry. In this Commission, presented in October 1932, Lord Lytton concluded that Japan should withdraw from Manchuria. But Manchuria should become a semi-independent country, instead of returning to China. The League accepted and approved the report. Japan left the League after accepting the report and continued to claim a region called Jehol, which surrounds Manchuria. They argued that this region gave the Japanese the ability to secure Manchuria. The League can't do anything at this point. Britain and France, the major European powers in the League, do not fully support a great power that could get away with using force on an issue so far from Europe. Other powers see this as a sign to escape using force. Japan, the League's most powerful member from the Far East, left the League. Then Japan joined Germany and Italy who also broke the League's rules. Remember: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In 1937, Japan and China finally went to war. The road to World War II was thought to have begun in Manchuria in 1931, where it became clear to the League of Nations that it was not enough to stop a nation bent on aggression.