Britain and East Asia 1933–1937

This is a study of Britain's attempts after the Manchurian crisis of 1931–3 to redefine her aims in east Asia.

Ann Trotter (Author)

9780521082853, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 October 2008

296 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.7 cm, 0.38 kg

This is a study of Britain's attempts after the Manchurian crisis of 1931–3 to redefine her aims in east Asia and to develop a viable policy of friendship towards China and goodwill towards Japan. The author emphasizes the part played by economic problems, pacifist sentiment and the failure of the disarmament conference in influencing the thinking of policy makers, and discusses Britain's dilemma of trying to provide for defence in Europe while maintaining the facade of an imperial power. Although Britain did not seek to challenge Japan's China policy, she was not prepared to give Japan a free hand in China, or to grant concessions elsewhere. In practice, British attempts to rehabilitate China appeared as a challenge to Japan. This was particularly true of the Leith Ross mission in China in 1935, which is considered in detail in this book.

1. Britain's Far East problem
2. British trade and Japanese competition
3. Britain's search for a policy
4. Naval questions
5. Britain, China and the Amau statement
6. The navy, the Dominions and Japan
7. The Federation of British Industries mission to Japan and Manchukuo
8. Britain, China and the silver problem
9. The Leith Ross mission
10. Set-backs for Britain's policy-makers
11. Japanese approaches, Australian proposals
12. The failure of Britain's dual diplomacy.

Subject Areas: General & world history [HBG]