Sino-Japanese War Flashcards
When was the Sino-Japanese War?
1937-1945.
How did the Treaty of Versailles impact the relationship between Japan and China?
Toward the end of WW2, both Japan and China joined the allies side. China expected to regain the German colonies the Germans had established in China, however the Japanese had made a secret deal with Britain to obtain those colonies after the war had ended. The Chinese delegates refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles because it meant they would not obtain Shandong back from the Germans, instead Japan would.
What was the May 4th Movement and When was it?
In 1919, it was the first mass movement in Chinese history in protest of the Treaty of Versailles which gave Shandong (the german colony in Shandong) to the Japanese.
When did Japan invade Manchuria? Why did they say they did?
- The Japanese based the invasion on the fact that the Chinese had theoretically tried to bomb a train track owned by Japan close to the Manchurian border. This became known as the ‘Mukden Incident’ or the ‘Shenyang Incident’.
Why did the Japanese really invade Manchuria?
80% of their overseas investment was in China and most of that was in Manchuria. Manchuria was also Japans main import-export region. In addition, Japan was running out of resources and space, they saw China as a viable option to further Japanese expansion as China had an expanse of raw materials and land.
What was Manchuria renamed and referred to?
It was renamed ‘Manchuguo’ and was essentially a ‘puppet state’ under Japanese control.
Why was the invasion of Manchuria significant?
Because it was the first stage of the Sino-Japanese conflict.
How did Chiang-Kaishek fail with regards to the Japanese invasion?
He always regarded his resistance to Japan as secondary to his aim of destroying the Communist Party. His plan was to surrender small areas of China because Japan would never be able to conquer such a vast nation/
By 1938, where had the Japanese invaded?
They had taken Beijing, Shanghai, Ghangzhou and Nanjing.
What year was the Rape of Nanjing? What was it?
December 1937. Following Chinese resistance in Nnajing against the Japanese, when the city finally fell, the Japanese engaged in a month-long programme of murder and terror toward the Chinese civilians.
What happened during the Rape of Nanjing?
300,000 people were slaughtered by shooting, bayonetting, beheading, being buried alive, being burnt alive and suspended on meat hooks. 20,000 girls and women were serially raped - regardless of their age and many died as a result of the rape itself. Half of the city was burned to ashes. At the ‘war times tribunal’ held by the allies in 1947 it was regarded as an ‘atrocity of unprecedented scale’.
What did the Japanese intend to show through their actions in Nanjing?
They intended to spread terror among local populations throughout China by showcasing what would happen to those who tried to resist.
What was the ‘100 Regiments Offensive’? When was it?
August 1940. It was a tactic undertaken by Mao’s communist forces to try and convince the Chinese people and the GMD of the CCP’s dedication to anti-Japanese tactics. Under the overall command of Peng Dehuai, the Communist forces undertook a series of attacks on Japanese positions in Northern and Central China. For 2 months, the Communists had considerable success.
How did the Japanese retaliate as a result of the 100 regiments offensive?
The Japanese ‘three alls’ were slogans ‘kill all, burn all, loot all’. It was a campaign of terror to destroy the populations in the areas which had supported communist forces. Murder, mutilations and rape were among the atrocities committed. Whole villages were systematically destroyed.
How did the Japanese retaliation for ‘the 100 regiments’ offensive
effect the communist forces?
A quarter of their force were killed. Peng Dehui was dismissed by Mao for causing the people the people to lose faith in the CCP and for the loss of life. The CCP’s failure also meant that the Red Army’s disposition and capabilities had been revealed to Chiang Kai-shek. As a result the Nationalists retaliated against the CCP, it was not hard to see that Chiang regarded the CCP as a bigger threat than the Japanese.
