Japanese Foreign Policy After World War I
The United States Secretary of State, Henry Stimson, delivered a memorandum to the Japanese Ambassador in 1931, after the Japanese military occupied the strategically important region of South Manchuria, raising questions about the validity of previous treaties and agreements.
Japanese military forces . . . have occupied the principal strategic points in South Manchuria . . . The League of Nations has given evidence of its concern. . . .This situation is of concern, morally, legally and politically to a considerable number of nations. . . . It brings into question at once the meaning of certain provisions of agreements, such as the Nine-Powers Treaty of February 6, 1922 . . .The American Government is confident that it has not been the intention of the Japanese Government to create or to be a party to the creation of a situation which brings the applicability of treaty provisions into consideration. The American Government does not wish to be hasty in formulating its conclusions or in taking a position. However, the American Government feels that a very unfortunate situation exists, which no doubt is embarrassing to the Japanese Government. . . .
Memorandum Handed by U.S. Secretary of State Henry Stimson to the Japanese Ambassador, 1931
Question 1
Identify one economic factor that led to the situation described in the excerpt.
Question 2
Identify one political factor that led to the situation described in the excerpt.
Question 3
Explain ONE way the situation described in the excerpt affected Japan's relationships with other nations.
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