Observation without Recognition: The Fragmentation of China, Making of Manchukuo, and the Danish Diplomatic Corps, 1931–1936
(2024) HISS33 20241History
- Abstract
- Swedish title: Observerande utan erkännande: Kinas fragmentering, Manchukuos uppkomst och den danska diplomatiska kåren.
This master’s thesis is an exploration of the concepts of quasi-states (non-recognised states) and fragmentation in historical international relations, particularly during the later part of the interwar period (1919–1939). The Japanese military invaded north-eastern China, the region commonly known as Manchuria in the West, in 1931 following a false-flag operation and swiftly occupied the region. In 1932, the state of “Manchukuo” was proclaimed, encompassing the occupied region. Although it was nominally a sovereign state, it was in reality a puppet state of Japan. Danish diplomats were active in the region and reported... (More) - Swedish title: Observerande utan erkännande: Kinas fragmentering, Manchukuos uppkomst och den danska diplomatiska kåren.
This master’s thesis is an exploration of the concepts of quasi-states (non-recognised states) and fragmentation in historical international relations, particularly during the later part of the interwar period (1919–1939). The Japanese military invaded north-eastern China, the region commonly known as Manchuria in the West, in 1931 following a false-flag operation and swiftly occupied the region. In 1932, the state of “Manchukuo” was proclaimed, encompassing the occupied region. Although it was nominally a sovereign state, it was in reality a puppet state of Japan. Danish diplomats were active in the region and reported from their stations to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the developments in the region. This included the Manchurian Crisis (1931–1933) in the League of Nations following the Japanese invasion and ended with Japan leaving the organisation when the League refused Manchukuo international recognition. These reports, alongside other pieces of correspondence, during the crisis and the subsequent years of Manchukuo’s independence are the focus points of this thesis.
Denmark had diplomatic stations in China and Japan, as well as an honorary consulate in Manchuria during this period, and wrote reports on the developments in the region. These reports give a glimpse into how these diplomats interpreted events as they unfolded and on what grounds they made these interpretations. This thesis particularly studies how the diplomats understand concepts such as sovereignty and legitimacy, how they imagine future trajectories, how they make sense of Manchukuo as a geographical entity, and how this relates to Danish interest in the region. Some of the results of this thesis includes giving credit to previously formulated theories about the role of quasi-states in modern diplomacy, which includes the flexibility in the meaning of recognition. Through this study it is also revealed that the diplomats for the most part were neutral in regards to the question of recognition for Manchukuo, until this attitude could jeopardise Danish business. Denmark was hoping to develop its trade interests in Manchukuo both through the export of refined goods and the import of raw materials, a hope it shared with its neighbours, Sweden and Norway. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9164479
- author
- Malmquist, Willy LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- HISS33 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Manchukuo, quasi-state, de-facto state, diplomats, diplomatic history, Danish history, interwar period, international recognition, fragmentation
- language
- English
- id
- 9164479
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-19 11:44:49
- date last changed
- 2024-06-19 11:44:49
@misc{9164479,
abstract = {{Swedish title: Observerande utan erkännande: Kinas fragmentering, Manchukuos uppkomst och den danska diplomatiska kåren.
This master’s thesis is an exploration of the concepts of quasi-states (non-recognised states) and fragmentation in historical international relations, particularly during the later part of the interwar period (1919–1939). The Japanese military invaded north-eastern China, the region commonly known as Manchuria in the West, in 1931 following a false-flag operation and swiftly occupied the region. In 1932, the state of “Manchukuo” was proclaimed, encompassing the occupied region. Although it was nominally a sovereign state, it was in reality a puppet state of Japan. Danish diplomats were active in the region and reported from their stations to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the developments in the region. This included the Manchurian Crisis (1931–1933) in the League of Nations following the Japanese invasion and ended with Japan leaving the organisation when the League refused Manchukuo international recognition. These reports, alongside other pieces of correspondence, during the crisis and the subsequent years of Manchukuo’s independence are the focus points of this thesis.
Denmark had diplomatic stations in China and Japan, as well as an honorary consulate in Manchuria during this period, and wrote reports on the developments in the region. These reports give a glimpse into how these diplomats interpreted events as they unfolded and on what grounds they made these interpretations. This thesis particularly studies how the diplomats understand concepts such as sovereignty and legitimacy, how they imagine future trajectories, how they make sense of Manchukuo as a geographical entity, and how this relates to Danish interest in the region. Some of the results of this thesis includes giving credit to previously formulated theories about the role of quasi-states in modern diplomacy, which includes the flexibility in the meaning of recognition. Through this study it is also revealed that the diplomats for the most part were neutral in regards to the question of recognition for Manchukuo, until this attitude could jeopardise Danish business. Denmark was hoping to develop its trade interests in Manchukuo both through the export of refined goods and the import of raw materials, a hope it shared with its neighbours, Sweden and Norway.}},
author = {{Malmquist, Willy}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Observation without Recognition: The Fragmentation of China, Making of Manchukuo, and the Danish Diplomatic Corps, 1931–1936}},
year = {{2024}},
}