1937-1938

RAPE OF NANJING (NANKING)

RAPE OF NANJING• As China fights a civil war between the

Nationalist party and Communist party, Japan sets their eyes on China.• In mid-1937 Chinese and Japanese

forces have first major battle south of Bejing.• Japan launches full scale invasion

RAPE OF NANJING• Chang Kai-Sheck flees to the interior of

China and sets up his government at a city called Chongqing.• The taking of Shanghai and Nanjing take

longer than the Japanese intended, which angers them and fuels their hatred even more. • The mass killings start with Chinese POWs.

RAPE OF NANJING• The Japanese have approximately

90,000 prisoners. • Young Japanese soldiers are

encouraged to brutalize and murder captured Chinese soldiers.• After Nanjing is captured, Japanese

begin a large scale assault on the civilian population

RAPE OF NANJING• An estimated 250,000 – 300,000 people are

killed.• Early estimates show 20,000 women are

raped by soldiers. Later that number is increased to 80,000. Young girls are not spared. Most are killed after they are raped.• Japanese “comfort women” were women

kidnapped and used as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers.

RAPE OF NANJING• Many other atrocities were committed• Forced incest – Chinese men were forced to

rape their own daughters, sons their mothers, and brothers their sisters. Forced drug use.• Shopkeepers were killed, their businesses

looted and set on fire with people locked inside.• The violence continued for more than a

month.

RAPE OF NANJING

RAPE OF NANJING