How did the League of Nations respond to Japanese aggression?

The League of Nations responded to Japanese aggression by condemning their actions but failed to impose effective sanctions.

The League of Nations, established after World War I with the aim of maintaining global peace, was put to the test when Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931. This act of aggression was a clear violation of the League's principles, which promoted peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for the sovereignty of all nations. The League's response to this crisis was to condemn Japan's actions and call for their withdrawal from Manchuria. However, this response was largely ineffective as it lacked the enforcement power to compel Japan to comply.

The League set up the Lytton Commission to investigate the situation in Manchuria. The Commission's report, published in 1932, confirmed that Japan had acted aggressively and had violated China's sovereignty. It recommended that Manchuria should be an autonomous region under Chinese sovereignty, but Japan should have special rights there due to its economic interests. However, Japan rejected the report and withdrew from the League in 1933, demonstrating the League's inability to enforce its decisions.

The League's failure to impose effective sanctions on Japan was due to several reasons. Firstly, the League lacked a military force of its own and relied on its member states to enforce its decisions. However, most of its members were unwilling to risk a military confrontation with Japan. Secondly, the League's most powerful members, Britain and France, were more concerned with the threat posed by Nazi Germany in Europe and were reluctant to take strong action against Japan. Lastly, the United States, although a major power, was not a member of the League and was pursuing a policy of isolationism, further limiting the League's ability to respond effectively.

IB History Tutor Summary: The League of Nations condemned Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931 but was unable to enforce sanctions effectively. Although it set up the Lytton Commission, which criticised Japan's actions, Japan ignored the recommendations and left the League. The League's lack of military power and the disinterest of major powers in confronting Japan limited its effectiveness.