# Large invasions

Source: https://projectgcse.co.uk/history/league_of_nations/large_invasions

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Japan Invading Manchuria

- First major test for the league.
- Japan is now a major power with a strong army and navy, strong industry and growing empire.
- Then depression - economy in crisis - Japan couldn't feed people - Army leaders try to build up Japan by force.
- Japan's army overran Manchuria and throughout Chinese forces - set up a puppet government - bombed Shanghai.
- Government in Japan told army to withdraw but refused.
- China appealed to the league.
- L O N G delay before League of Nations did anything. Agreed Japan was wrong and Manchuria should return to Japan.
- Japan said it would invade more and resigned from the league.
- FAILURE
- League made excuses like Japan was a special case and so far away.
- Sanctions were no good without USA.
- Britain wanted to stay on Japans good side.
- As critics had warned the league was powerless if a strong nation was aggressive.
- Hitler and Mussolini followed Japan's example 3 years later.

Mussolini invading Abyssinia

- Fatal blow - Italy was a leading member of League of Nations.
- Very close to the league - Europe.
- Mussolini wanted victories so prepared for a full invasion of Abysinia.
- Britain and France didn't take it seriously and played for time. They wanted to keep on the good side of Mussolini.
- Mussolini launched attack (large attacking small).
- League decided to impose sanctions but delayed oil imports for 2 months.
- Failed to block of the Suez Canal.
- Secret dealing between Britain, France and Italy to give Italy 2/3 of Abysinnia if he called of the attack.
- Details leaked to press - disaster - sacked.
- America disgusted by league and stepped up oil exports to Italy.
- Hitler marched into Rhineland March 1936.
- France now wanted Italy as an ally.
- May 1936 Italy had taken Abyssinia's capital.
- COLLECTIVE SECURITY + LEAGUE OF NATIONS FAILED