1.2 Japanese expansion in South-east Asia, 1931-1941 Causes of expansion - - 1930 Japan had modernized and gone a long way towards achieving equality with the West o Boost by the success in wars against China and Russia o Sees themselves Japan’s destiny to be the leader of the region Political instability existed in China Political instability in China - - Manchuria crisis 1931 o Chinese nationalism grew because they were outraged by foreigners in China GMD (Nationalist Party in China), Jiang Jieshi National unification Communists, Mao ZedongJiang Jieshi to form United Front Launched Northern Expedition, consolidate central government control and wrest power from the warlords Clash of civil war between nationalists and Communists Japanese domestic issues before 1932: Political crises and the growing influence for the military If Jiang defeated Zhang, the warlord in Manchuria, impeding Japan’s special interests in Manchuria o Japan sent Kwantung Army to disarm Zhang o Zhang was assassinated in 4 June 1928 o Result: army could ignore the government with impunity Undermined liberal democracy in Japan Japanese domestic issues: Economic Crisis - Global economic crisis 1929 o Makes