MANCHUKUO Meaning and
Definition
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Manchukuo was a puppet state established by Imperial Japan in 1932 in northeastern China. The term "Manchukuo" refers to both the territory and the entity occupying it. The word is derived from Manchu, the ethnic minority group that inhabited the region, and "kuo," meaning "country" in Chinese.
Manchukuo emerged after the Japanese invasion and occupation of Manchuria. It was proclaimed an independent state, although it was actually controlled by Japan. Puyi, the last Emperor of China, was installed as the puppet ruler of Manchukuo, taking on the title of Emperor of Manchukuo.
With its capital in Changchun, Manchukuo was run by a Japanese-controlled government, which implemented policies to assimilate the local Chinese and promote Japanese colonization in the region. As a puppet state, Manchukuo was heavily reliant on Japanese support, militarily, politically, and economically.
Internationally, the establishment of Manchukuo was widely regarded as an illegal act and condemned by the League of Nations. The international community did not recognize Manchukuo as a legitimate state, considering it a Japanese colony.
Manchukuo's existence came to an end in 1945 with Japan's defeat in World War II. The Soviet Union intervened, and the region was incorporated into China as the Northeast Provinces once again. Manchukuo remains a contentious topic due to its association with Japanese imperialism and the numerous human rights abuses committed during its existence.
Etymology of MANCHUKUO
The word "Manchukuo" is derived from two components: "Manchu" and "kuo".
The term "Manchu" refers to the ethnic group that ruled the Qing Dynasty in China from 1644 to 1912. Their official language was the Manchu language. They originated from the Northeast region of China, which was historically known as Manchuria.
The second component "kuo" means "country" or "state" in Chinese. It is commonly used as a suffix in Chinese to denote a nation or state.
Therefore, "Manchukuo" can be translated as "Manchu state" or "state of the Manchus". The name was chosen to reflect the fact that Manchuria was transformed into a puppet state controlled by the Japanese during the 1930s and 1940s.
