Japan's War in China

joespaniel

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War came to the Pacific 8 years before the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, 10 years before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan embarked on an aggressive campaign of military conquest starting in 1931.

In May of 1930 the Japanese Prime Minister was assassinated by young officers for his support of the London Naval Treaty. An indicator of what was to come.

September 1931, the Japanese stage an incident at Mukden on the South Manchurian Railroad. Almost immediately afterwards, the army moves into South and Central Manchuria against light resistance, seizing the province by early 1932. The puppet state of Manchuko is formed, and it makes no pretense of legitimacy. The Chinese are economicaly exploited, even the opium trade is encouraged.

The Japanese government is never consulted, and meekly follows the army.

By March of 1932, Japanese army troops take control of Shanghai.

China calls on the League of Nations, which comdems the attack and launches an "investigation". It is not until 1933 though, the same month that the German Nazis win thier first democratic majority, that the League confronts Japan with it's aggression.

Japan walks out of the League, and allots more money to modernize the army. Hitler also leaves the League in October of the same year.

Noteably, the Chinese Communists make thier famous "Long March" from Kiangsi to Shensai between Oct 1934 and Nov 1935, some groups traveling nearly 6000 miles. The Communists are very much in favor of war with Japan, while the Nationalists continue to waffle. This is a boost to the Communists and thier numbers begin to swell.

November 1936, Japan and Germany sign the Anti-Commintern Pact, but this is not a formal treaty. Japan does not wish to be drawn into a future European war.

By 1937, fighting becomes intense, the Chinese making some small but important victories over the Japanese army, starting near Peking at the Marco Polo Bridge.

Heavy fighting rages around Shanghai, and after reinforcing, the Japanese take Nanking in December. 200,000 Chinese civilians are killed and 90,000 are raped in a several day rampage by the Japanese army.

Resistance in China begins to peak. By April 1938, the Nationalist forces inflict heavy losses upon the Japanese North China Army.

Between June and July, a Japanese offensive from Kaifeng is checked, after the Chinese breech dykes and dams, flooding the Yellow River Plain. Over 1,000,000 Chinese peasants are killed and many more are made homeless, to inflict casualties on the Japanese.

Also in July, there a border clash between Japan and the USSR north of Manchuko. Both sides reinforce, but the Soviets prevail. This continues until August of 1939, when a little known general named Zhukov defeats the Japanese decisively. Worried over a possible war in Europe, Japan comes to terms.

Backing up for a second, in October 1938 Japan lands troops near Hong Kong and they advance to Canton. They now control all of China's major ports, cutting off support from the outside world.

November 1938, Japan announces the New Order for East Asia, basicaly asserting that they will do as they please. US and British opposition to Japanese aggression solidifies.

September 1939, the European War begins.

1 year later, Germany Italy and Japan sign the alliance which will come to be known as the Axis Pact.

I reprinted this from a different site.
-Joe
 
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