Imperialism Continues

Japan's silk trade had been ruined by the depression of 1929. The militarists maintained that the economy could be revived only by expanding Japan's sphere of influence in China. Japanese armed forces conquered southern Manchuria in 1931 and northern Manchuria the following year.

Under Japanese auspices, a new Manchu-rian state, renamed Manchukuo, was established in 1932. The following year, Japan invaded Jehol, a Chinese province bordering on Manchuria. Upon protests from the League of Nations against the aggression, Japan withdrew from the League in 1933. Meanwhile, the militarists increased their control in the Diet by threats, force, and assassinations, as well as by constitutional means. In February, 1936, in Tokyo, four statesmen were assassinated in an uprising of young military officers. Although the leaders were put to death, military influence in the government continued to grow.