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Events preceding World War II in Asia

Events preceding World War II in Asia primarily includes political and military developments in China and Japan. China underwent great political upheaval in the 1920s, resulting in a divided and weak national authority. Japan meanwhile went through steps to increasing militarism and industrialization. Japan eventually invaded China in 1937, but this did not stem the nation's need for raw materials, ultimately leading to Japan's entry into World War II.

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Communism and the Kuomintang in China

Prior to World War I, China's last dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, collapsed giving way to a nominal republic. This government however also failed, and China fell into a fragmented region of warlords. Out of this vacuum arose two primary forces aiming to unite China under their ideology. In 1912, the Kuomintang (KMT) was formed and in 1922, the Communist Party of China (CPC) was formed. The two were not immediate enemies, but in 1927, with much of southern and central China under their control, the KMT openly turned on the CPC.

Japanese militarism

In the east, Japan had, as early as the late nineteenth century, begun to spread out across Asia, brought about by conflict between traditional Japanese practices and changing social conditions associated with rapid industrialisation and modernisation. In 1905 Japan won an astounding victory over Russia, and in 1910 it occupied Korea and made it a colony.

During the 1920s democracy seemed to be taking root in Japan, but by the 1930s, the Great Depression brought to the fore many talented military leaders who took control of Japan, often ruling in the name of Emperor Hirohito, and playing on the traditional respect the Japanese people held for their emperors. In 1931, Japan invaded and occupied Inner Manchuria, setting up the puppet state of Manchukuo, and by 1937 launched a second invasion that occupied the rest of the region. For this reason, some scholars consider 1936/37 the actual start of World War II.

Noteworthy events

The following events played a significant role in setting the stage for the involvement of Asia and the Pacific in World War II:

  • 1919: Japan, as a member of the victorious Allies during World War I, gains a mandate over various Pacific islands previously part of the German colonial empire. The primary island chains are the Marshall Islands, Marianas, and the Carolines. Japan joins the League of Nations.
  • 1922: The Washington Naval Treaty is signed, limiting the fleets and vessels of the navies of the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, and Italy. Japan is limited to about two-thirds of the fleet allowed for the United States and Britain. This is seen in Japan as a denial of Japanese equality amongst European powers.
  • 1922: Foundation of the Communist Party of China.
  • 1924: First congress of the Kuomintang under Sun Yat-Sen.
  • 1927: Open conflict between the CPC and KMT commences in China. This continues until the 1937 invasion by Japan, but even then there remains a clandestine battle between the two.
  • 1930: The London Naval Treaty is signed, putting a halt to battleship production until 1937. Limitations on submarines and other surface combatants are also made. Japanese Prime Minister Inukai is assassinated soon after by a group of young officers for his support of this treaty which is seen in Japan as preventing parity of forces. The act is symptomatic of a certain level of anarchy amongst Japanese aristocracy.
  • September, 1931: Citing an incident of sabotage on the South Manchurian Railroad at Mukden, Japanese forces invade Manchuria. Resistance fails and within six months the occupation of Manchuria is complete.
  • January, 1932: Beginning with anti-Japanese riots, fighting erupts between rioters and Japanese troops protecting the nation's enclave in the port of Shanghai. Japan reacts by bolstering the garrison force.
  • February, 1932: Manchukuo is announced as an independent nation, and is in reality a Japanese puppet government for the region of Manchuria. Japanese control remains direct however, and Japanese owned interests gain considerable power. Additionally, the opium trade is encouraged.
  • October, 1934-November, 1935: The Chinese Communists conduct the Long March, transferring their base of power from Kiangsi to Shensi. The casualties are significant, but the Communists are in a much better position to confront both the KMT and the Japanese.
  • December 29, 1934: Japan abrogates the Washington Naval Treaty.
  • December, 1935: Large-scale anti-Japanese riots take place in Peking.
  • February, 1936: In Japan, a coup attempt by junior officers comes close to succeeding.
  • November, 1936: Japan joins Germany in signing the Anti-Comintern Pact, seigned to provide a two-front threat to the Soviet Union. Japan is however not interested in being drawn into a European war, and thus the pact is not a true alliance.
  • December, 1936: Machinations including the arrest of Chiang Kai-Shek by one of his generals result in the KMT adjusting to a more anti-Japanese stance. Confidence had grown that the Japanese were beatable.
  • July, 1937: Skirmishes break out near Peking between the KMT and Japanese forces. The Japanese are outnumbered and some victories are scored against them as fighting spreads throughout northern China.
  • August-November, 1937: Full scale fighting erupts throughout northern China, and Japan overcomes initial failures with landings and reinforcements. By the end of November, Japanese troops begin their march inland on the capital at Nanking.
  • November, 1937: Nanking is captured and is subjected to many days of rampage. The Rape of Nanking demonstrates the difficulty the Japanese have in controlling their army in the field.
  • April, 1938: Chinese Nationalists gain a major victory over Japanese forces in Shantung province.
  • June, 1938: The Japanese advance along the Yellow River is halted by the breaching of dams by the Chinese. The flood kills many Japanese but also as many as 1,000,000 civilians.
  • July, 1938: Japanese forces provoke a battle with the Soviets at Lake Hassan in Manchukuo. The Soviets handily defeat the Japanese.
  • October, 1938: The Japanese Central China Army captures Hankow, ending their advance up the Yangtze River. Additionally, landing near Hong Kong capture Canton, completing the cutting off of the Chinese Nationalists from ocean ports. The Japanese see this as the completion of major operations against the Nationalists.
  • November, 1938: The New Order for East Asia is declared by Japan. This declaration of Japanese plans for dominance of East Asia further deteriorates their relations with western nations.
  • February, 1939: Japan captures Hainan Island, which is seen to have strategic implications by the British.
  • May-August, 1939: Japan and the Soviet Union engage in border clashes around the Khalka River. Again, the Soviet Union is victorious.
  • July, 1939: The United States announces its withdrawl from its commercial treaty with Japan.
  • September, 1939:

See also

Last updated: 06-05-2005 03:44:29
Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46