Manchukuo

East Asian politics at the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition.

The Progress of Manchuria’ is plastered boldly across one side of the page in this persuasive pamphlet issued by the South Manchuria Railway at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. Text and photographs highlight the alleged economic impact of Japanese intervention in the region, and the increased economic trade with the United States as a result. Carefully selected graphs emphasize population growth and commodities exchange, though it fails to mention that many of these were refugees fleeing famine and the increased exports further strained the food supply.

The accompanying map uses the title of the puppet state, Manchukuo, and includes the adjacent territory of Jehol (modern-day Rehe). This area was captured by the Japanese invasion in January of 1933 and officially annexed shortly thereafter. Railways, steamer routes, and telegraph cables are noted – all further signs of the ‘Progress of Manchuria.’