Rape of Nanking

Activator 2/27/17 What is genocide? Name some examples of genocide. Is there genocide in the world today?

Announcements Progress reports come out March 14 I’ll be after school today and Thursday

Japan after WWI Suffered from economic problems Geographically small Goals of Japan’s military leaders: expand Japan’s empire to gain more raw materials restore Japan’s power in Asia and the world Imperial & nationalistic

Invasion of China Japan invaded China’s northern region of Manchuria in 1931 This area was rich with iron and coal Japanese established puppet state there called Manchukuo

Invasion of Nanking (Nanjing) AKA Rape of Nanking or Nanking Massacre Nanking was China’s capital Japan invaded December 13, 1937 Massacre occurred over a period of six weeks

Rape of Nanking Soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army murdered Chinese civilians and perpetrated widespread rape and looting Most non-biased, historical estimates say ~200,000 Chinese killed & between 300,000 – 800,000 women were rape This incident also gave rise to Chinese nationalism

Conflicting Accounts There have been many conflicting accounts coming from China & Japan Japanese historians and nationalists (including some gov’t officials) claim that the event was not that horrific and the Chinese have exaggerated On the other hand, the Chinese claim the event was catastrophic and barbaric on the part of the Japanese Tensions still exist between the countries today due to this atrocity

What REALLY happened during the invasion of Nanking? Individually, read the handout on the Nanking massacre. Then, work with your group to complete the reading & guided questions on the Invasion of Nanking Who’s account is more accurate and why?