The League of Nations and the Lytton Report
The League of Nations: A New Hope for Peace
- The League of Nations was established in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Its primary goals were to:
- Promote international cooperation.
- Maintain peace and security through collective security—the idea that aggression against one member would be met with a unified response from all.
The League's founding principles were enshrined in its Covenant, which outlined mechanisms for arbitration, economic sanctions, and, if necessary, military action against aggressors.
The Mukden Incident: A Test of the League's Resolve
- On September 18, 1931, a section of the South Manchurian Railway near Mukden (modern-day Shenyang) was damaged.
- The Japanese Kwantung Army blamed Chinese forces and used the incident as a pretext to invade Manchuria.
- Within months, Japan had established the puppet state of Manchukuo, installing China's last emperor, Pu Yi, as its nominal ruler.
The Mukden Incident was a fabricated excuse for Japanese expansion, as later confirmed by the Lytton Report.
China's Appeal to the League
- China, a member of the League, appealed for assistance under the principle of collective security.
- The League faced a critical decision: how to respond to a major power's blatant act of aggression.
The Lytton Commission: A Fact-Finding Mission
Formation and Objectives
- In response to China's appeal, the League established the Lytton Commission in December 1931.
- Led by Lord Lytton, a British diplomat, the commission included representatives from the United States, France, Germany, and Italy.
- Its mission was to:
- Investigate the causes of the Mukden Incident.
- Assess the legitimacy of Japan's actions.
- Recommend solutions to the crisis.
The United States, though not a League member, participated in the commission, reflecting its interest in maintaining stability in East Asia.
