Second Sino-Japanese War

Definition

The Second Sino-Japanese War was a conflict that lasted from 1937 to 1945, primarily between China and Japan, marking a significant escalation of hostilities that began with the First Sino-Japanese War. This war played a crucial role in shaping modern Chinese identity, national unity, and its relationship with foreign powers, while also impacting global dynamics leading to World War II.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Second Sino-Japanese War began with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, leading to widespread conflict across China.
2. During the war, Japan occupied major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanking, facing significant resistance from Chinese forces.
3. The conflict saw significant atrocities committed by Japanese forces, including the infamous Rape of Nanking in late 1937.
4. The Second Sino-Japanese War merged into World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, as China became one of the Allied Powers.
5. The war ultimately led to significant changes in China's political landscape, contributing to the rise of the Chinese Communist Party and the eventual Chinese Civil War.

Review Questions

• What were the key events that led to the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War and how did they escalate into full-scale conflict?
  • Key events leading to the Second Sino-Japanese War include Japan's growing imperial ambitions following its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War. Tensions escalated with incidents such as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in July 1937, where skirmishes between Japanese and Chinese troops led to a broader military confrontation. This incident marked a significant turning point, as it ignited widespread warfare across China, with Japanese forces quickly advancing into major cities.
• Analyze the impact of Japanese occupation on Chinese society during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
  • Japanese occupation during the Second Sino-Japanese War had devastating effects on Chinese society. The occupation involved widespread violence, including massacres like the Rape of Nanking, leading to immense suffering among civilians. Additionally, it caused disruptions in agriculture and industry, forced migrations, and heightened nationalistic sentiments among Chinese citizens, ultimately fostering unity against foreign aggression. This period also laid groundwork for future political developments in China.
• Evaluate how the Second Sino-Japanese War influenced China's international relationships post-war and its subsequent civil strife.
  • The Second Sino-Japanese War significantly altered China's international relationships post-war. With Japan's defeat in 1945 and China's status as one of the Allied Powers solidified, China gained recognition on the global stage. However, this period also intensified internal divisions between the Nationalists and Communists. The weakened state of the Nationalist government post-war led to escalating tensions and eventually sparked a full-scale civil war between these factions for control over China.

Related terms

First Sino-Japanese War: A conflict between China and Japan from 1894 to 1895, resulting in Japan's rise as a major imperial power and the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which imposed harsh terms on China.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident: The July 1937 clash between Chinese and Japanese troops near Beijing, widely considered the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Rape of Nanking: The mass murder and mass sexual assault by Japanese troops against the residents of Nanking during the Second Sino-Japanese War in late 1937, exemplifying the brutalities of the conflict.