Nanking Massacre Research Paper

In December of 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army overtook China's capital, Nanking and slaughtered 300,000 Chinese civilians. The Japanese army raped and looted hundred of thousands of people using inhumane and barbaric methods. This event is referred to today as one of the worst atrocities during WWII in the Asian theatre. The actions led by the Japanese exemplified China's weak military as well as their insufficient government, allowing for other countries to take advantage of later opening China into spheres of influence. Due to the Nanking Massacre, China culturally became more ethnocentric, politically decimated any friendly relationships with the Japanese, and became economically isolated. The invasion of Nanking began when the Japanese Imperial Army marched into Shanghai; the Japanese expected the battle of Shanghai to be quick and effortless, even stating
The Japanese began distributing opium to the people of Nanking to pacify the city that was causing them to become lazy and careless. An estimate of 50,000 became addicted due to this and as a result opium dens. Which were small rooms operated by Chinese immigrants that were used to smoke large amounts of opium. This was an issue because it made everyone less productive, not wanting to do anything. This re surfaced the opium epidemic that China had recently dealt with during the opium wars with the British. In addition to the narcotics, the women comfort system was introduced which forced young Chinese women to become sex slaves having the only purpose of pleasuring the Japanese.The Japanese army believed that sex was good morale and would give the troops something to work harder for. However this had the opposite effect and often held the Japanese back, they became too relaxed and no longer needed to work for anything. There was often more relaxing than actual work and production got