SECTION A
Prescribed Subject 1
Peacemaking, Peacekeeping—international relations 1918-1936
Source A: Withdrawal speech by Yosuke Matsuoka (leader of the Japanese delegation in the League of
th
Nations) from the League of Nations on the February 24 , 1933 in Geneva Brown, Stewart (1933 Feb 24). United Press . Retrieved
February 25, 2009, from Japan Leaves League of Nations in 1933 Web site: : http://www.downhold.org/lowry/japan.html
Japan will oppose any attempt at international control of Manchuria. It does not mean that we defy
you, because Manchuria belongs to us by right…We recovered Manchuria from Russia. We made it
what it is today… Japan has been and will always be the mainstay of peace, order and progress in
the Far East. Would the American people agree to such control of the Panama Canal Zone; would
the British permit it over Egypt? The Japanese people will oppose any such attempt in Manchuria.
…To deny us this appeal will be a mistake. I ask you not to adopt this report. The Japanese
government is obliged to feel that they have now reached the limit of their endeavors to co-operate
with the league regarding Sino-Japanese differences…Japan has been a member of the league
since its inception. Our delegates in past conferences participated in the drafting of the league
covenant. We have been proud to be members, associated with the leading nations of the world in
one of the grandest purposes in which humanity could unite. … Japan, however, finds it impossible
to accept the report adopted by the assembly … I need hardly add that the Japanese government
will persist in their desire to contribute to human welfare, and will continue their policy of cooperating in all sincerity in the work dedicated to world peace.
Source B: Extract from Democracies and Dictatorships: Europe and the World 1919-1989 by Allan Todd,
Cambridge 2001.
Technically, Manchuria was part of China but, because of the political situation in China, where civil
war had broken out between the Guomindang and the Chinese Communist Party, there was little
stability there. This harmed Japanese trade and economic interests in Manchuria, which had
allowed the Japanese to have a small military force to protect their interests. By 1927, Japan was in
control of most of Manchuria‟s mines, factories and ports; to protect these, they had a large army
stationed in the Kwantung area of southern Manchuria. At this time, Manchuria was ruled by an
ineffective Chinese warlord (military ruler), but Japan feared the new nationalist government of
China, set up by Jiang Jieshi in 1928, might soon provide effective control over Manchuria.
Source C: A display in the Yushukan museum, established in 1882 (rebuilt ion 2002)
Japan‟s victory in the Russo-Japanese War and subsequent annexation of Korea resolved
concerns about national security, which had been festering for years. The world situation however
never ceased to evolve. When World War I began, Japan cooperated with the Allies, capturing
German possessions (Qingdao and Mariana, Caroline and Marshall Islands), and dispatching a
special fleet to the Mediterranean Sea and other troops to Siberia. After the war, the United States
having failed to ratify the Covenant of the League of Nations, hosted the Washington Conference
and planned to establish a new international order in Asia and the Pacific. The Chinese, however,
Copyright Mark Cowe 2010
with the nationalistic and xenophobic zeal after the revolution, focused their animosity on the then
existing international agreements. An anti-Japanese movement in Manchuria and a sense of crisis
of the Japanese residents prompted the action by the Kwantung Army, and the establishment of
Manchukuo.
Source D: A map of the railways and natural resources of Manchuria. Democracies and Dictatorships:
Europe and the World 1919-1989 by Allan Todd, Cambridge 2001.
Source E: A cartoon by David Low first published by a British newspaper Evening Standard on 17
November 1931.
Copyright Mark Cowe 2010
Refer to the accompanying Source Booklet and answer all the questions in Section A
SECTION A
Prescribed Subject 1
Peacemaking, Peacekeeping—international relations 1918-1936
1. (a) What evidence does Source D give for why Japan may have invaded Manchuria in 1931?
[3 marks]
(b) What is the message of Source E?
[2 marks]
2. To what extent are the views about Japan‟s motivations for occupying Manchuria in Source B
supported by Sources C and D
[6 marks]
3. With reference to their origin and purpose, assess the value and limitations of Source A and
Source C for historians studying Japanese actions during the Manchurian Crisis (1931-1933)
[6 marks]
4. To what extent do you agree that “a sense of crisis of the Japanese residents” (Source C) living
in China was the main reason for the Manchurian Crisis 1931 to 1933?
[8 marks]
Copyright Mark Cowe 2010
1. a) What evidence does Source D give for why Japan might have invaded Manchuria?
[3 marks]





Suggests that Japan is very small compared to china and other countries
Mentions that Japan is covered by high mountains and lacked farmland
Mentions that Japan lacked raw materials such as Iron Ore and Coal
Mentions that Japan depended on trade and imports [– clearly showing it needy of
a source of raw materials and land of its own]
[Shows that Japan had the ability to. It already had an influence in some regions –
the south Manchurian railway and Kwantung – and expansion was not impossible.]
Award [1 mark] for each valid point up to a maximum of [3 marks].
b) What is the message of Source E?



[2 marks]
The League of Nations was susceptible to Japanese influence as demonstrated by
how the chair is being sawed off by a Japanese official. (Take into consideration
the sizes of the figures in the cartoon).
The blank „International Law‟ book illustrates the League of Nation‟s inability to
combat Japanese aggressions as they had no army of their own and no experience
with the situation they were faced with. Ultimately, chaos arose.
The closed „Covenant‟ and „Kellogg Pact‟ scrolls symbolize how the terms of the
League of Nations were easily disrespected by the Japanese
Award [1 mark] for each valid point up to a maximum of [2 marks].
N.B. Do not enter half marks of + and – but compensate between (a) and (b) if necessary for a final
mark out of [5 marks].
2. To what extent are the views about Japan’s motivations for occupying Manchuria in
Source B supported by Source C and D
[6 marks]
Source B:
 States that the Chinese civil war between the Guomindang and the Chinese
Communist Party had broken out and this threatened to harm Japanese trade and
economic interests
 States that Japan had a small army stationed in Manchuria to protect their economic
interests
 States that by 1927 Japan was in control of most of Manchuria‟s mines, factories,
and ports.
Source C supports Source B:
 In stating that the revolution in China caused instability for the Japanese occupiers
of Manchuria
 In expressing that the new nationalist government of China might soon control
Manchuria by driving out the Japanese.
Copyright Mark Cowe 2010
Source D supports Source B:

In stating that Japan had few resources of its own on the mainland, relying instead
on foreign resources (from Manchuria, China, etc.)
Sources C and D contradict Source B:


Whereas Source B states that the Japanese occupiers of Manchuria feared a new
nationalist government would take over, Source C states that an anti-Japanese
movement forced the Kwantung army to take over
Whereas Source B states that Japan feared a nationalist government take-over of
Manchuria, Source D expresses that the Japanese had little choice but to expand
due to the lack of food and natural resources in Japan.
Allocate [2 marks] for each Source, for relative comparative comments, up to a maximum of [6
marks].
3. With reference to their origin and purpose, assess the value and limitations of Source A
and Source C for historians studying the Manchurian crisis
Source A
Origin:
A speech by Yosuke Matsuoka, the leader of the Japanese delegation in the League
th
of Nations, on February 24 , 1933.
Purpose:
To announce the withdrawal of Japan from the League of Nations, and to highlight
the Lytton Report‟s unfair treatment to the Japanese.
Value:
It contains the opinion of the whole Japanese government about the League of
Nations‟ decision about the Manchurian crisis. It also shows what excuses Matsuoka
used in response to the League of Nations regarding the Manchurian crisis.
Limitations:
It is a very one sided source that contains only Japan‟s view of the Manchurian crisis.
It is a very emotional speech which contains not only the opinion of Japan but also a
large amount of pleading. This speech is deliberately misleading to gain sympathy for
Japan in the Manchurian Crisis.
Source C
Origin:
A display in the Yushukan museum, established in 1882 (and rebuilt in 2002)
Purpose:
To educate visitors about Japanese involvement in international affairs and honor
Japanese war heroes
Value:
It was written after the Manchurian Crisis and therefore the writers had access to
other materials regarding the crisis as well as the benefit of hindsight. It gives a
Japanese point of view as to why the invasion was necessary.
Some details may have been omitted in the process of gathering information. Also, it
was written by a private organization and will be inevitably biased. There is no way of
determining who exactly wrote the excerpt; however, they were probably working for
Limitations:
Copyright Mark Cowe 2010
the museum.
Do not expect all the above and allow other valid points. Ideally there will be a balance between the
two sources and each one can be marked out of [3 marks], but allow a [4/2 mark] split. If only one
source is assessed, mark out of [4 marks]. For a maximum [6 marks] candidates must refer to
both origin and purpose, and value and limitations.
4. To what extent do you agree that the effects of the Great Depressions was the main
reason for the Manchurian Crisis (1931-1933)?
Source material that could be used:
Source A:
Clearly showed that Japan thought that Manchuria belonged to it by right. Indicates that
Japan appealed to the League by stating that it had been a founding member and has
always hoped to benefit humanity. However it does not justify the invasion in a detailed
manner.
Source B:
Indicates that the civil war in China threatened Japanese interests in Manchuria. Also
indicates that the new government set up by Jiang Jieshi might be in control of Manchuria
soon and therefore in control of Japan‟s mines, ports, factories, etc. Shows that Japan‟s
invasion could possibly be justified in the interest of its property in Manchuria.
Source C:
Accounts the events that prompted the Japanese to invade Manchuria with special focus
on the inevitability of these actions.
Source D:
Shows the Japanese geographical situation and state of wealth at the time, leading to the
fact that the invasion was much needed by the Japanese to sustain the country. It also
spotlights on the importance of Manchuria to the Japanese (goods).
Source E:
Shows that Japan was attempting to destabilize The League of Nations‟ moral authority.
It was in the process of creating international law to supplement other diplomatic pacts
(such as the covenant) when its authority was threatened. The League noticed Japan‟s
actions [but whether it would stand up to Japan using its covenant and international law is
the problem]
Own knowledge that could be used:
Own knowledge could include the effects of the Great Depression/Wall Street Crash, the Japanese
dependency on imports, the effects of tariffs, the Japanese geo-political situation (its lack of land,
etc.), the concept of interdependence, Japan‟s gains in WWI, situation in China, Attitude towards
and the imperialism (social/economical/political) of European nations.
Do not expect all the above and credit other relevant material. If only source material or only known
knowledge is used, the maximum mark that can be obtained is [5 marks]. For a maximum [8
marks], expect argument, synthesis of source material and own knowledge, as well as references
to the sources used.
Copyright Mark Cowe 2010