1. BELLWORK: March 14th
List the similarities and differences between the Koda-ha and Tosei-ha military factions.
What was “The Dark Valley?” Outcome?
Describe the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.
THINKER: What was the Rape of Nanjing? Why was rape used as a strategy by the Japanese military? How did they justify these atrocities? Explain!

2. 1.2 Japanese Expansion in South East Asia
The Second Sino-Japanese War ( )

3. Causes of the Sino-Japanese War: Nationalism
“Asia for Asians:” Fight against Western Imperialism
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere: Resources should be used for Asia, NOT the West (Japan’s sphere of influence)
As leader of Asia, it was Japan’s “responsibility” to “liberate” Asia
A 1930s propaganda poster encouraging Asian cooperation

4. Causes of the Sino-Japanese War: Militarism
Tojo Hideki: Leading Tosei-ha general, Chief of Staff to Kwantung Army; comes to power in Oct. 1941
General Nagata: Leader of the Tosei-ha faction; assassinated by Kodo-ha officer

5. Causes of the Sino-Japanese War: Political/Economic Situation in Japan
“The Dark Valley”
Between , six Japanese PM’s were assassinated by military officials

6. Causes of the Sino-Japanese War: Situation in China
Civil War: GMD vs CCP
Initially, Jiang refused negotiation (until MPB)

7. Marco Polo Bridge Incident
July 1937: Japan crosses from Manchukuo (Manchuria) into mainland China
Japan orders more troops from Korea (no gov. consent)
Two fronts: North (capture Beijing) and South (control Shanghai)
Causes mass exodus of Chinese population

9. Rape of Nanjing
December 1937: six-week period following the Japanese capture of the city of Nanjing (former capital)
250,000 to 300,000 deaths
Widespread rape and looting

10. Rape of Nanjing
Why was rape used as a strategy by the Japanese military? How did they justify these atrocities? Explain!

11. Rape of Nanjing
Estimated that 30,000 women were raped, including infants and the elderly
A large portion of these rapes were systematized in a process where soldiers would search door-to-door for young girls, with many women taken captive and gang raped
The women were often killed immediately after being raped, often through explicit mutilation or by stabbing a bayonet, long stick of bamboo, or other objects into the vagina. Young children were not exempt from these atrocities, and were cut open to allow Japanese soldiers to rape them

12. Japanese troops often burned/buried people alive

13. “There is no obvious explanation for this grim event, nor can one be found. The Japanese soldiers, who had expected easy victory, instead had been fighting hard for months and had taken infinitely higher casualties than anticipated. They were bored, angry, frustrated, tired. The Chinese women were undefended, their menfolk powerless or absent. The war, still undeclared, had no clear-cut goal or purpose. Perhaps all Chinese, regardless of sex or age, seemed marked out as victims”
Description of event by Chinese historian, Jonathan Spence
A boy killed by a Japanese soldier with the butt of a rifle, because he did not take off his hat

14. Conclusions/Effects Establishment of military government in Japan
Resistance in China grows
Morale boost! Nationalism!
Civil War postponed
Set stage for rise of Communism in China
Contributed to Japan’s defeat in WWII
Supply lines overstretched and troops vulnerable to guerrilla attacks

15. “The Road to War: Japan”
This video will review over the origins of militarism/nationalism, introduce the Sino-Japanese conflict, and cover events leading up to Pearl Harbor
Pay close attention to perspectives! It highlights Japan’s view of events through primary interviews…..
Complete the video note sheet as you watch!