Marco Polo Bridge Incident (jul 7, 1937 – jul 11, 1937)

Description:

Cause (International): Leaders in Japanese Government divided over whether to spark war with China or not, rising tensions between Japan and USSR led many to convince Prime Minister Konoe to not instigate war.

Effect (International): Lack of possible USSR threat eventually convince Konoe to wage war against Chinese in Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

Cause (Domestic): Japanese forces accused Chinese troops of attacking in Wanping

Effect (Domestic): Japanese forces “fought back” against Chinese troops at Marco Polo Bridge, negotiations followed and Japanese Prime Minister Konoe ultimately blamed China for the incident, more skirmishes between Japanese troops and Chinese, sparked beginning of Second Sino Japanese War.

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