1. The Invasion of Nanking
Objective: I can evaluate how aggressive Axis expansion and the failure of the League of Nations led to World War II.
The Invasion of Nanking

2. Context: Japan, 1930 Manchuria Nanking
Japan suffered from economic problems.
Japan was 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
Image from:
World View of Japan
Nanking

3. Japanese soldiers in Manchuria
Invasion of China
Japan invaded China’s northern region of Manchuria in 1931.
This area was rich with iron and coal.
Source:
Japanese soldiers in Manchuria

4. Japanese Soldiers entering Nanking
Invasion of Nanking
Nanking was China’s capital.
Japan invaded Nanking in December 1937.
Japanese Soldiers entering Nanking

5. Central Historical Question
What happened during the invasion of Nanking?

6. Directions Read textbook A and textbook B excerpts.
Then answer questions 1-3.
#1: Identify textbook A and textbook B as a Chinese or Japanese textbook. Explain.
8 Minutes

7. Directions
Read Document C
Answer Questions 1 and 2.
6 Minutes

8. Directions Complete Nanking: Corroboration Organizer 10 Minutes
Compare & contrast Document C with the Japanese textbook
Compare & contrast Document C with the Chinese textbook
10 Minutes

9. Final Discussion With your partner, discuss the following questions.
Why might textbooks from different countries offer different versions of the same historical events?
When confronted with conflicting historical accounts, what is the best way to determine which is more accurate or trustworthy?