How did the Manchurian Crisis undermine the League of Nations?

The Manchurian Crisis undermined the League of Nations by exposing its inability to enforce decisions and maintain peace.

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, a region in China, claiming that Chinese soldiers had sabotaged a Japanese railway. This was a pretext for Japan to seize control of the area, which was rich in natural resources. China appealed to the League of Nations for help, hoping that the international organisation would intervene and stop Japanese aggression.

The League of Nations investigated the situation and concluded that Japan was the aggressor. They issued a report in 1932, recommending that Japan withdraw from Manchuria. However, Japan simply ignored the League's findings and continued its occupation. The League's inability to enforce its decision was a significant blow to its credibility.

One of the main reasons the League failed was that it lacked its own military force. It relied on member nations to contribute troops and resources, but many countries were unwilling to commit to military action, especially during the Great Depression when they were focused on their own economic problems. Additionally, key members like Britain and France were hesitant to confront Japan, fearing it might lead to a larger conflict.

The League's failure to act decisively in the Manchurian Crisis showed the world that it was ineffective in dealing with aggressive nations. This emboldened other countries, such as Italy and Germany, to pursue their own expansionist policies, knowing that the League was unlikely to stop them. The crisis highlighted the weaknesses in the League's structure and its reliance on the cooperation of major powers, which ultimately led to its decline and the outbreak of World War II.