The document discusses Japan's invasion of China in the early 20th century. It provides background on Japan's increasing control over areas of China from 1895. It then examines the reasons for Japan's full invasion of Manchuria in 1931, including Japan viewing China as weak and seeking to replace it as Asia's dominant power. The document also looks at the impact of the Japanese invasion on China, including the brutal Nanjing Massacre that sought to terrify the Chinese population into submission but had the opposite effect of galvanizing resistance. Finally, it evaluates how the war with Japan contributed to the growth of the Chinese Communist Party by allowing it to position itself as a force resisting foreign aggression.

1. The War with Japan
Learning Objectives:
• Identify the reasons for the Japanese invasion of China?
• Examine the impact of Japanese invasion on the Chinese people?
• Evaluate the role of the war with Japan played on the growth of the
CCP?
Key Words, People &
Places:
Zhang Zuolin
Zhang Xueliang
Manchukuo
2nd United Front
Xian
Eighth Route Army
Chonquing
Pearl Harbour
Idology
Rectification of
Conduct

2. Japanese Expansion
LO: Identify the
reasons for the
Japanese invasion
of China?
In the early twentieth century Japan
had taken control of a number of
different areas in and around China:
• In 1895 Japan had taken Formosa
(Taiwan).
• In 1905, after the Russo-Japanese
War, Japan took the Liaodong
Peninsula and the South Manchurian
Railway.
• In 1910 Japanese troops seized
Korea.
• The 21 Demands allowed Japan
more control over this area in 1915.
• During the First World War Japan
took the area of Kiaochow, which
had been controlled by the
Germans.

3. Japanese Expansion
• Since the late 19th century
Japan had dreams of rivaling
the Chinese Empire and
replace it as Asia’s dominant
force.
• Japan launched a long term
plan to build a strong military
and economy based on new
Western technology.
• After WW1 tensions between
China and Japan grew. It was
becoming clear that Japan
wanted to invade China.
LO: Identify the
reasons for the
Japanese invasion
of China?

4. Japanese Expansion
• Japan viewed China as a nation that could be
conquered easily
• The Japanese had been brought up to think of
the Chinese as ‘pigs’ and one should not feel
guilty for slaughtering them
• Many locals initially welcomed the Japanese
army as they ‘couldn’t be much worse than
previous regimes’
• It was thought that China would simply allow
itself to be conquered
LO: Identify the
reasons for the
Japanese invasion
of China?

5. JAPANESE INTEREST IN CHINA 1895-1931
1895 Taiwan
Sino
Japanese
War.
1905 Manchuria
Russo Japanese
War.
1910 Korea
Japanese
Colony.
1914
Kiaochow
WWI.
Why bother with Manchuria?
1. 192,000 Sq. Kilometers, BUT sparsely
populated!
2. Lots of resources: wood, minerals,
and agriculture.
3. 440 million yen spent on the South
Manchurian Railway, shipping,
mining forestry and agriculture, steel
production.

6. Its 1928 and Zhang Zoulin has changed
sides; he now supports Chiang Kai Shek.
The Japanese feel threatened. How can
this problem ‘go away’?
1931 and despite a good control of
Zhang Xueliang, and of Manchuria’s
economy, the Wall street crash has
caused huge economic problems in
Japan. How can Japan find a way to
stimulate the economy and trade
again.
Its 1931. The Japanese cannot
just invade Manchuria, they
need an excuse. What could
they do?
1931. The Chinese look to the League of
Nations for help. A Commission of Enquiry
was sent to China to investigate the
situation. How can Japan deal with this
threat?
Explain why the
Japanese invaded
Manchuria
Work Task
1. Firstly tell me what you would do
if you had to advise the
Japanese.
2. Then look in both of your
textbooks to find out what the
Japanese actually did. And fill in
answers 1-5 on the worksheet.
1931 Manchurian
Incident
LO: Identify the
reasons for the
Japanese invasion
of China?

7. 1931 Manchurian
Incident
LO: Identify the
reasons for the
Japanese invasion
of China?

8. Manchuria
• Japan has been controlling
economy since 1915
• Friendly agreement with Zhang
Zuolin
• But, 1925 Zhang recognises
Chiang Kai Shek as leader of
China
• Zhang assassinated, Zhang
Xueliang takes over
• 1931 full-scale invasion of
Manchuria
• Manzhouguo established, Puyi
installed
LO: Explain the key
events of the
Japanese invasion?

9. The Invasion of
Manchuria
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?
• In 1931, the Japanese
invaded the northern
province of Manchuria.
Claimed the Chinese had
sabotaged railway line –
excuse to invade. They
renamed it Manchukuo.
Chiang did little to stop
them. He was preoccupied
with the threat from the
CCP.
• He actually ordered troops
not to resist, fearing a full-
scale invasion of China.

10. Disease of the Soul?
• People were furious that
he hadn’t stood up to
Japanese aggression.
Chiang believed that
national unity had to be
achieved before
attacking the Japanese.
• In 1936 he ordered
another extermination
campaign against the
CCP in their new base at
Yanan.
“The Japanese are a
disease of the skin, it can
be cured. The Communists
are a disease of the soul; it
affects the whole body.”
Chiang Kai-Shek, speaking
in 1936
Look at the above source.
In your own words, explain
what Chiang means?
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

11. The Rise of Zhang
Xueliang
• However KMT troops,
commanded by Zhang
Xueliang the warlord of
Manchuria, refused to
fight the Communists.
• In 1936, Zhang made
an agreement with the
CCP not to fight each
other. Chiang was
furious.
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

12. The Xi’an Incident &
United Front
• Chiang opposed the
agreement but in
December 1936 he was
kidnapped at Xian by
Zhang’s troops and kept
prisoner for 2 weeks.
• He was eventually released
when he agreed to form a
2nd United Front with the
CCP against Japan.
• The Russians government
agreed to give military aid.
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

13. War with Japan (1937-
45)
LO: Explain the key
events of the
Japanese invasion?
In groups of 3 - you will develop a TV news report around 5 minutes in
length based the the two bullet points above. This will be shown after
the Easter Holiday.
• The role of the CCP especially the Red Army in the war against
Japan
• The limitations of Guomindang
Think about your audience. Think about the use of images and video
clips, potential music, sound quality.
Use your text books and any other sources to help you with this.
This will be peer and teacher assessed.

14. News Report
Your report must include reference to the following:
• Brief reference to Japan’s invasion in Manchuria and Japanese
conquests 1937
• Chinese reactions to Japanese seizure of Chinese territory
• Xian Incident
• Second United Front
• Red Army at War versus Japanese (liberation areas, guerilla
tactics, winning support of peasants) Hundred Regiments Battle
• Three All Campaign – why did it fail?
• Costs of war on China socially, politically and economically
• How the war with Japan helped the communists
• GMD attacks on Red Army during WW2
• GMD tactics and limitations (weaknesses against the Japanese)
LO: Explain the key
events of the
Japanese invasion?

15. 1937 – Japanese
Invasion of China
• Despite the United Front,
the well-equipped,
modern Japanese armies
swept south into the rest
of China.
• In July 1937, Japanese
troops attacked Chinese
troops at the Marco Polo
Bridge, near Beijing.
• This was the start of a full
scale war which lasted
until 1945.
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

16. 1937 – The Fight for
Shanghai
• One of Japan’s first moves was to take Shanghai, a city
of great economic importance to China. Even though
this was a very difficult city to defend Chiang decided
to use this opportunity to stand up to the Japanese
and show the world how China would respond to
foreign aggression.
• Chiang lost much of his most advanced military units
but succeeded in making an effective stand
(Remember: Chiang had previously been seen as
weak for allowing the Japanese to control Manchuria).
• Chiang placed his hopes on gaining American support
as he knew his armies couldn’t defend China for long.
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

17. 1937 – The Fight for
Shanghai
• When Japan finally took
control of Shanghai
they instigated a brutal
regime. The Japanese
were offended to see
such ‘an inferior nation’
stand up for itself so
effectively in battle
• Japan supported Hitler’s
anti-Semitic policy and
built Jewish ghettos.
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

18. Question
What might an army made of
soldiers taught to see their
enemy as animals do to a
captured city?
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

19. The Rape of Nanjing
• The Japanese then made moves on the capital of
Nanjing.
• When the Japanese finally took the city they
embarked on a systematic campaign to destroy it in
the cruelest ways possible, this would also serve as a
warning to any further Chinese defense attempts
• Japanese soldiers committed many war crimes:
– Rape
– Murder
– Torture
– ‘Decapitation races’
– Medical experiments
– Forced prostitution of school girls
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

20. The Rape of Nanjing
Remains of just some of the victims in Nanjing - Such atrocities were
made public by the Japanese who wanted to terrify China into
submission, however this had the opposite effect.
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

21. The Rape of Nanjing
Decapitation Races -
Photos taken by the
Japanese themselves
and published in
national newspapers.
Note the smiling soldier
in the background
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

22. Effects of Japanese
Occupation
• China suddenly became
galvanised and saw
themselves as one nation who
needed to work together to
defeat a merciless enemy
• Chiang came under pressure
to work with willing CCP
revolutionary fighters- not
destroy them
• Dashing Communist guerrilla
fighters quickly won mass
support
• Meanwhile, the GMD were still
launching anti CCP campaigns
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

24. Chinese Resistance and the Rise of Mao

25. The Second United Front
• The Communists accepted direction from the
GMD
• The Chinese Soviet Republic was abolished.
• Red Army was merged with the GMD – Eighth
Route Army
• CCP agreed to stop its attacks on landowners
– 1937 landowners encouraged to sell their
land to peasants instead.
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

26. Chiang Retreats to
Sichuan
• By the start of 1938 there were 1
million Japanese troops in China
and by the end of the year
Japan had occupied many of
China’s ports, industry and
commercial centres.
• Chiang and the GMD retreated
to the mountains of Sichuan
province. Cut off from the
industrialised West and coast –
therefore could do little to fight
back against Japanese.
• Chiang’s move to Chonquing a
positive for CCP as allowed them
to grow in the north without
hindrance from GMD.
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

28. WW2 in China 1939-1945
• For the next 5 years, Japan
lacked the resources and
manpower to make further
inroads into China.
• Following the bombing of
Pearl Harbour Britain and the
USA declared war on Japan
and began to send millions of
tons of supplies to Chiang
from Burma. He withheld these
from the Communists.
• From 1941 Japan was
preoccupied with the Pacific
War with the USA.
LO: Examine the
impact of
Japanese invasion
on the Chinese
people?

29. The Limits of the Empire
• Even in the areas they
occupied, the Japanese did
not have total control.
• This allowed the Chinese to
move back into some areas
and take control of the
countryside.
• The Japanese controlled the
large cities, ports & airfields
whilst the GMD & CCP
controlled most of the
countryside.
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

30. International Perspective
• Allies condemn Japanese
activities and sympathise
with China
• Russia assists in order to
protect its own borders
• Foreign reporters are
drawn to the heroic
achievements of Mao
and help boost the
image and legitimacy of
the CCP’s image
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

31. Communist Resistance
• Mao could afford to take a hard stance against
the Japanese
• Guerrilla warfare with troops with ever-increasing
experience
• Trained peasant children to act as spies.
• Communist reform took place in in liberated areas
• Education, discipline and justice quickly inspire
loyalty amongst the peasantry
• Russian assistance (Comintern disbanded in 1943
but CCP still had access to a limited collection of
foreign advisors sympathetic to communist ideals)
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

32. Communist Ideology
• In Mao’s Red base in Yanan the CCP experiment with
putting their ideologies into practice and draw supporters
from all over the country
• The CCP favour the peasantry and educate and
empower the poor
• The Red Army gets access to education and training and
grows a fierce sense of loyalty and discipline to the
communist cause
• The ‘Rectification of Conduct’ campaign is carried out in
1942-4 and solidifies discipline and political correctness
amongst the CCP
• The CCP become a centralised, experienced and
cohesive force, headed by charismatic leaders
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

33. Why did the CCP
succeed?
• Peasants happier:
– Land confiscated
– Rents/taxes reduced
(37.5% to 20% of crop)
– Interest free loans for
peasants
– Outmoded practices
banned
– Women’s Association’s
established
– Red Army is disciplined
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

34. The Outcome of the War
- Guomindang
• The GMD army weak and ill disciplined.
• Lost support from soldiers and Chinese population for not
fighting back against the Japanese. Soldiers who come into
contact with communists often switch sides
• Did not use military resources from the US against Japan –
rather stockpiled them to fight the Communists. Lost foreign
support.
• Chiang seen weak and unpatriotic - allowed warlords to take
over
• GMD officials/Government – increasingly corrupt
• No improvements socially or economically
• Did not help peasants, seen as a party of bankers, merchants,
businessmen and landlords
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?

35. The Outcome of the War
• 4 million Chinese dead, 60
million homeless
• Before the Invasion in 1937,
the CCP controlled only
30,000 sq. miles with 2
million people.
• By 1945, the CCP controlled
300,000 sq. miles with 95
million people.
• Read the worksheets to find
out how the CCP managed
to gain so much support
during the war
LO: Evaluate the
role of the war with
Japan played on
the growth of the
CCP?