Although the times are quite different from the previous article, I would like to focus on the case in which the top Fengtian clique Zhang Zuolin (of China) was bombed in 1928 by the Kwantung Army of Japan.
Wasn't Japan fitted in this case? Although there is a different theory, the Kwantung Army is generally regarded as the criminal, so this time I will explain with the general Kwantung Army criminal theory.
Events before the Zhang Zuolin bombing incident
After the end of World War I from 1914 to 18 and the division of the Kwantung Army from the Government-General of Kwantung, the global post-war crisis began.
Furthermore, in 1921, the Four-Power Treaty was signed, and the expiration of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance that had been concluded until then became decisive, and the isolation gradually deepened. Furthermore, the Great Kanto Earthquake overlapped in Japan, and the subsequent processing failed.
On the other hand, the civil war continues in the Kwantung Army garrison and the neighboring Republic of China. It was the so-called warlord era that began in 1916. It was an era when several warlords lined up side by side, with Japan, the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union behind each other. Meanwhile, when the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are established in the Republic of China, they will work together to move north (=northern expedition) with the aim of unifying China.
Looking a little further at the world, in 1917 the Decree on Peace of Lenin (Soviet administration) proposed self-determination, and the following year the United States addressed the fourteen peace principles, including the right to self-determination. It can be said that the events claimed in the above also affected the Kanto army.
This idea of self-determination has spurred the independence movement of China and Korea. Some people are associated with socialist ideas, and the Soviet Union can be seen and hidden behind them. It was a headache for the Kwantung Army, whose main task was to maintain security.
* Socialist thought was (simply put) the idea that it should be an equal society without class and exploitation, and it was unacceptable to Japan because it denied the emperor system and private property.
Zhang Zuolin bombing incident caused by the Kwantung Army as a countermeasure for Northern Expedition
Northern Expedition is not an acceptable situation for both the Kwantung Army and Japan, and it needs to be dealt with. The result was the Zhang Zuolin bombing incident . is.
The Cabinet at that time chose to support the Fengtian clique, which is based in Manchuria, as a countermeasure against Northern Expedition. The Japanese prime minister at that time was the Fengtian clique general, Zhang Zuolin . Was an old friend.
That Zhang Zuolin As the power of his warlords begins to grow stronger, he will accept support not only from Japan but also from Europe and the United States, especially from the United States, which has been delayed in expanding into China. The Kwantung Army says that control through the warlords will eventually reach the limit for the Cabinet, which is trying to continue to support Zhang Zuolin. The gap between the two will gradually increase.
Meanwhile, Zhang Zuolin The Fengtian clique was defeated by the Northern Expedition and withdrew from Beijing. Although it is troublesome just to start moving unintentionally, the situation has to doubt the ability as a resistance force of Northern Expedition, so some of the Kwantung Army Zhang Zuolin There was a move to carry out the killing of.
It was the Zhang Zuolin bombing incident on June 4, 1928 that actually carried out that move. is.
On the way back from Beijing to Mukden (towards Manchuria), the entire train was blown up.
The Zhang Zuolin bombing incident was not reported to the upper army or the cabinet, and some people were involved. I think it can be said that it was around this incident that the Kwantung Army's runaway began to be whispered.
What is the result of the Zhang Zuolin bombing incident?
It was Zhang Zuolin who took over Manchuria with the support of his aides after the death of the Fengtian general. Son Chang Hsueh was.
Chang Hsueh-liang who learned the truth about his father's death Was a hostile force until then Chiang Kai-shek Will join hands with the Kuomintang and change to a policy to counter Japan. On the other hand, instead of going down to the Kuomintang, he allowed military and political non-interference in Manchuria.
Naturally, Japan's influence on Manchuria has declined as a result. This series of steps is Manchurian Incident It was connected to.