Imperial Japan's quest for power and the 1937 invasion of China

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan had embarked on a path of modernization and imperial expansion.

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 transformed Japan from a feudal society into a modern industrialized nation.

It was driven to do so by a desire to catch up with Western powers.

This transformation was accompanied by a growing sense of nationalism and a belief in Japan's ultimately destiny to lead all of Asia.

The victory over China in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) further fueled Japan's imperial ambitions, setting the stage for future conflicts with China.

So, what was going on in China at this time? Well, China in the 1930s was a nation in turmoil.

The fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 had left a power vacuum. This led to a period of warlordism and fragmentation.

As a result, the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek struggled to unify the country.

They faced challenges from both internal and external forces, including the growing Communist movement.

What made things worse were economic hardships, social unrest, and the lingering effects of foreign imperialism.

These all further weakened China's ability to resist Japanese aggression.

Complicating matters was also the fact that the geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region in the 1930s was experiencing shifting alliances, rivalries, and a complex web of treaties and agreements.

In particular, western powers, including the United States and European nations, had significant interests in China.

This meant that they were wary of Japan's expansionist policies.

Also, the League of Nations, despite its efforts to promote collective security, was largely ineffective in restraining Japan.

Specifically, Japan's withdrew their membership in the League after they were condemnation for its invasion of Manchuria in 1931.

Finally, the rise of fascist powers in Europe and the growing isolationism in the United States left China increasingly vulnerable to Japanese aggression.

However, things were getting worse in Japan as well. Japan's rapid industrialization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries created an insatiable demand for natural resources, such as coal, iron ore, and oil.

With limited domestic supplies, Japan needed to look abroad to fulfill its needs: particularly in China and Southeast Asia.

Control over resource-rich regions like Manchuria became a strategic imperative for Japan.

So, the invasion of China was, in part, a quest to secure access to these vital resources.

If successful, it would ensure the continued growth and stability of the Japanese economy.

Japan's desperation for these resources was magnified by the sudden global economic downturn of the Great Depression.

The resulting collapse of international trade and the decline in export markets put further pressure on Japan's economy.

Consequently, military leaders and nationalists saw territorial expansion as a solution to these economic woes.

They argued continually that control over China's markets and resources would provide a buffer against global economic uncertainties.

The invasion of China was thus seen as a means to economic recovery and self-sufficiency.

But this also influenced trade relations between Japan and China in the years leading up to the invasion.

Japan's aggressive trade practices, including dumping cheap goods into Chinese markets, led to widespread resentment and calls for boycotts in China.

Conversely, Japan viewed China's efforts to protect its domestic industries through tariffs and trade restrictions as a threat to its own economic interests.

As a result, these trade conflicts further strained Sino-Japanese relations: contributing to the growing animosity between the two nations.

The final spark that ignited the full-scale invasion of China was the Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937.

Here, there was a skirmish between Chinese and Japanese troops near Beijing.

While seemingly a minor event at the time, it provided Japan with a pretext to launch a full-scale invasion.

Once the war broke out, Japan tried to move quickly to capture key objectives, including the occupation of major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

But they also needed control over strategic railways and ports.

However, the Japanese military was confident in its technological superiority.

China's military response, despite being outmatched in terms of technology and training, was heartening.

The Chinese forces put up a determined fight, particularly in battles like the Battle of Shanghai.

China also aimed to leverage international sympathy and support.