The purpose of this course is to concentrate on one particular episode in Northeast Asian history that draws together the interests and experiences of China, Korea and Japan and their relation to the international community. 

Japan's economic and military expansion into Manchuria, which paved the way for the establishment of Manchukuo under Japanese oversight, touched off a major international crisis that involved, besides Japan, China, Korea, Russia and the Western member nations of the League of Nations.  In the course of this crisis, Japan, already frustrated by its experiences in the London and Washington naval conferences of the League in the 1920s,  withdrew from the League.  The crisis abated by 1933, but was followed by a series of events that drew Japan into war with China in 1937 and the Allied Powers in 1941.  In seeking an explanation for the crisis, students will be made familiar with a number of primary sources.

The six seminar sessions will be based on set readings and will consist of discussion on the assigned topic led by a designated student, followed by comments by myself and further consideration of the central issues.  Assessment will be based on seminar presentation and participation (40%) and one take-home examination, consisting of two essay questions (60%).