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Manchukuo

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Manchukuo was a state located in the region of Manchuria. It existed from 1932 until 1945.

Manchukuo map 1939
Manchukuo map 1939

The state was created after the Empire of Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931. Most people saw the state as illegitimate. This means they did not believe it was a real or legal country. It was a puppet state of Japan. In a puppet state, one country holds the real power. Even though Manchukuo had its own leaders, Japanese officials made the important decisions. They also controlled the safety of the leaders.

Japan Manchukuo Protocol 15 September 1932
Japan Manchukuo Protocol 15 September 1932

The government changed its style over time. At first, it was set up as a republic. In 1934, it became a constitutional monarchy.

National seal of Manchukuo (滿洲帝國之寶)
National seal of Manchukuo (滿洲帝國之寶)

This means it had an emperor. However, very little actually changed in how the government worked. The Japanese kept total control over the court. The state also had different systems for different groups. For example, western areas with Mongolian populations were ruled differently. This reflected their own traditions. The southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula was ruled directly by Japan.

Map of Manchukuo divisions 1935 en
Map of Manchukuo divisions 1935 en

History shows that the Manchu people lived in this land for a long time. They led the Qing dynasty in China for many years. The Qing dynasty fell after the 1911 Xinhai Revolution. The last emperor, Puyi, had to step down when he was only six years old.

Pu Yi (Kangde) - Manchukuo uniform
Pu Yi (Kangde) - Manchukuo uniform

Later, Japan brought Puyi back to lead Manchukuo. He was first a regent and then became the emperor in 1934. Even as emperor, he had no real political power. He was a nominal leader. This means he held the title but not the strength to rule.

Many people moved to the region during this time. The Japanese population grew very quickly. Japan helped move young farmers from the islands to Manchuria. These farmers did not have much land at home. By 1945, more than one million Japanese people lived in Manchukuo.

Propaganda Poster of Manchuku
Propaganda Poster of Manchuku

The Korean population also increased. Heavy industry grew very fast under leaders like Nobusuke Kishi. This industry used slave labor from the local people. This was a very hard and unfair way of life for them.

Showa Steel Works
Showa Steel Works

Manchukuo played a big role in larger wars. It was a starting place for Japan to invade more of China. This happened during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.

Manchukuo Imperial Army
Manchukuo Imperial Army

The state finally came to an end during World War II. In August 1945, the Soviet Union invaded Manchuria. The Japanese government surrendered in September 1945. This caused the state of Manchukuo to be dissolved. The land was given to Chinese administration the next year.

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🖼️ Images & Media (25)
File:National seal of Manchukuo (滿洲帝國之寶).svg
National seal of Manchukuo (滿洲帝國之寶).svg
Manchukuo National Anthem 1933-1942...
Manchukuo National Anthem 1942.ogg
File:Japan Manchukuo Protocol 15 September 1932.jpg
Japan Manchukuo Protocol 15 September 1932.jpg
File:Museum imperial palace manchu state throne room 2011 07 26.jpg
Museum imperial palace manchu state...
File:Pu Yi (Kangde) - Manchukuo uniform.jpg
Pu Yi (Kangde) - Manchukuo uniform.jpg
File:Qiqihar Shrine.JPG
Qiqihar Shrine.JPG
File:Manchukuo map 1939.svg
Manchukuo map 1939.svg
File:Manchuguo Poster.harmony of J,C and Mpeople.jpg
Manchuguo Poster.harmony of J,C and Mpeople.jpg
File:Hideki Tōjō and Nobusuke Kishi in 1943.jpg
Hideki Tōjō and Nobusuke Kishi in 1943.jpg
File:Hokushin-ron-Map.svg
Hokushin-ron-Map.svg
File:Zheng Xiaoxu 1932.jpg
Zheng Xiaoxu 1932.jpg

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