Question

Which is the BEST description of America's response to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931?

Answer 1

D) The United States issued the Stimson Doctrine, which stated that America refused to recognize any territorial changes made as a result of Japanese aggression in Manchuria. The United States publicly stated that their government disagreed with Japan's actions.  Henry Stimson, the U.S. Secretary of War, issued a moral statement condemning Japan's invasion of Manchuria.        

Answer 2

Correct answer:  D. The United States issued the Stimson Doctrine, which stated that America refused to recognize any territorial changes made as a result of Japanese aggression in Manchuria.

Context/detail:

Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 as a part of its imperialistic expansion plans in Asia.  The world community did little of substance to respond.   The League of Nations proved ineffective and could not agree on any measures such as sanctions.  The United States was too preoccupied with Depression conditions to consider taking any action either.  (The US had not joined the League of Nations.)  The Stimson Doctrine, that the US would would not recognize a territory taken by force, was named for US Secretary of State Henry Stimson.

The US did not impose economic sanctions against Japan until 1941, after Japanese troops had taken over French Indochina.