Evaluate the impact of the invasions of Manchuria (1931) and China (1937) on Japan’s relations with the West.

Candidates will make and appraisal of the impact of the invasions of Manchuria (1931) and China (1937) on Japan’s relations with the West (US, Britain and non-Soviet Europe) by weighing up their importance or otherwise. They may adopt a chronological approach and consider a range of long and short-term consequences arising from these two events, but treatment need not be equal. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. A comparative approach may or may not be used. Candidates may refer to tensions prior to the invasions, the Washington Naval Treaty, the League of Nations, the Lytton Report, Manchukuo, the cancellation of trade agreements, the Tripartite Pact, and US military aid for China. These need not all be covered or covered equally. Both the importance or otherwise must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal focus on each. While other, relevant, factors such as Japanese domestic politics may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.