The Sino-Japanese War and The Rape of Nanking Top Documentary Textbook pages: 42 - 54

The Descent into the ‘dark Valley’ – Japan post 1932 After 1932, there was a division not only between the military and the politicians but also within the military as well. These divisions would lead Japan into what has been referenced as “The Dark Valley”. See the image on page 39. There were 2 main groups who wanted to overthrow the government, each for respective reasons.

The Koda-Ha (Imperial Way) Believed in a military dictatorship that would deliver state wide socialism. Soviet-Union was the enemy Conquest of USSR was inevitable Emphasis of national spirit over material force. The Tosei-Ha (Control Faction) Against terrorism and use of force to remove government. Main goal was to keep good relations with USSR and the conquest of China. Emphasis on the modernization of the army and industry. The mobilization of the whole country.

Power Struggle for Control Because of this internal struggle for control of the government, several assassination plots were attempted (with some success). Using the information on page 40, make note of the different governments, assassinations and alliances to the factions in your notes. (Using a flow chart method). You will have some time to do that now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDv8NxGv9Yg (22-26 min)

May 1936 to July 1937 In May 1936, the government was in a struggle to control the ever-growing military. Prime Minister Hirota Koki was forced to explore a stronger foreign policy at the ‘suggestion’ of the military. He agreed to a seven point program, a compromise which gave the control of the government to the military. H. Koki agreed to expand arms and support the army’s expansion into Manchuria. He also signed the Anti-Comintern Pact with Hitler (1936). – An anti- communist pact between Germany, Japan and eventually other fascist dictators.

In 1937, Tojo Hideki became the chief of staff to the Army and within six weeks the army commanders ordered the invasion of China. This would be the start of the Sino- Japanese War of 1937.

Sino-Japanese War of 1937 Fighting broke out on July 7, 1937 at the Marco Polo bridge near Beijing. In order to defend their territory, the Chinese Ministry of War sent more forces (Korean and Chinese) to fight the Japanese. This led to a full scale war. By the end of July (1937), Japan had taken Beijing and now were expanding to Shanghai (in the north). Their war tactics were much more brutal – due to the new technology of air strikes. This forced Chinese civilians to flee into the interior of the country, which has been suggested as the largest human exodus in history.

The Rape of Nanking – December 1937 This period of the Sino-Japanese War has been known as the Rape of Nanking due to the atrocities and crimes against humanity committed by the Japanese Army against the Chinese Civilians. We will watch a documentary and discuss after. You are to make notes on this and use them to study for your upcoming assessment. Homework: read and MAKE NOTES page 44-54. Results of Sino-Japanese War for Japan Why did the conflict deepen after 1938 Pearl Harbour 1941.