Unit 3: Paper 1 — The Move to Global War
Topic 3.1: Japanese expansion in East Asia (1931–1941) Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB History Topic 3.1. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.1 - Q1
Which event is usually taken as the start of Japan's military expansion in East Asia in the 1930s?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q3
What did the Stimson Doctrine of 1932 commit the United States to?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.1 - Q4
Which of the following best describes the international opportunity that made Japanese expansion into Manchuria easier?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.1 - Q7
According to Source B, state three ways in which the army had weakened or controlled the civilian government.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.2 - Q14
Using the sources and your own knowledge, discuss the reasons why Japan's expansion in East Asia widened into a war against China after 1931.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.1 - Q6
According to Source A, identify three reasons the officer gives for why Japan should take Manchuria.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.2 - Q9
With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source C for a historian studying why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q9
With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source C for a historian studying responses to Japanese expansion.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.2 - Q2
What was Manchukuo, established by Japan in 1932?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q2
In which year did Japan withdraw from the League of Nations after being condemned over Manchuria?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q11
Compare and contrast what Sources A and C reveal about why the responses to Japanese expansion were ineffective.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.1 - Q2
Why was Japan's civilian government unable to control the army in the early 1930s?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.2 - Q8
With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source A for a historian studying the Mukden Incident.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q6
According to Source A, state three reasons the official believed the League would be unable to stop Japan.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q5
Which two great powers were NOT members of the League of Nations during the Manchurian crisis, weakening its response?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.1 - Q5
How did the Great Depression of 1929 contribute to Japanese expansion?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.2 - Q1
Which staged event did Japan use as an excuse to invade Manchuria in September 1931?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q1
Which body did the League of Nations send to investigate who was to blame for events in Manchuria?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.2 - Q10
With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source D for a historian studying Japan's position in 1941.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 3.1.3 - Q15
Using the sources and your own knowledge, examine the reasons why China was unable to resist Japanese expansion effectively in the 1930s.
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