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The Secret Creation of Manchukuo: Why did Japan choose the last emperor Puyi?
Manchukuo, a puppet state that existed from 1932 to 1945, has a mysterious history and political struggle behind it. Its creation was not only part of Japan's imperial expansion, but also a unique attempt by Japan to reshape the map of Asia by using Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, as a puppet.
The establishment of Manchukuo marked the ingenious use of historical symbols by Japanese policymakers to justify their aggressive behavior.
Puyi was forced to abdicate at an early age. As the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, his life was a story full of tragedy. After Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, Puyi's name was mentioned again, and the Japanese military regarded him as a suitable candidate to establish Manchukuo.
Historical background
The decline of the Qing Dynasty and the ethnic changes in Manchuria laid the foundation for the establishment of Manchukuo. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the political situation in Manchuria was quite chaotic. The warlords were separatist, especially Zhang Zuolin's independence. His death made the Japanese senior officials see an opportunity and attempted to use this to realize their ambitions in Manchuria.
Manchuria's rich resources and strategic location gave Japan a clearer economic motive for its aggressive plan.
The Fushun Incident in 1931 and the subsequent full-scale invasion paved the way for the establishment of Manchukuo. In February 1932, Puyi was invited back to Manchuria and, with Japanese support, proclaimed emperor of Manchukuo. This arrangement gave Japan a semblance of legitimacy internationally.
Manchukuo’s governance model
Although nominally an empire, power in Manchukuo was entirely controlled by the Japanese military. As the emperor, Puyi's real political power was just an empty shell. The deputy ministers and several advisers with conflicting interests sent by Japan made it impossible for Puyi to make any decisions that affected national policies.
"Although the political structure of Manchukuo seems complete, it is actually just a puppet government under Japanese control."
With various Japanese investments and administrative management of Manchukuo, the area was rapidly modernized and its infrastructure, including railways and industrial development, were dominated by Japan, turning Manchukuo into Japan's economy "lifeline".
International repercussions and legality issues
The existence of Manchukuo has aroused strong controversy internationally. Most countries do not recognize the country's legitimacy and regard it as a product of aggression. On the international stage, the isolation that Manchukuo encountered made it questionable in the early days of its establishment.
"The name of Manchukuo is prefixed with the word 'pseudo', which in the Chinese context profoundly expresses its unorthodox and unrecognized identity."
Although Japan's governance in Manchuria seemed to have achieved certain results, with the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Manchukuo became a springboard for the war and a catalyst for the resurgence of Chinese nationalism.
Ending and Reflection
With the Soviet Union declaring war on Japan and attacking Manchuria in 1945, the fate of Manchukuo came to an end. Puyi was eventually captured by the Soviet Union and detained by the Chinese Communist Party. All this makes people think: Who did the real power and freedom belong to during that difficult history?
