E Q 2 CONTINUED How did WWII become

E. Q. 2 (CONTINUED): How did WWII become a global conflict? Key Terms: “Rape of Nanjing”, General Douglas Macarthur, Pearl Harbor, Philippines, Bataan Death March

• Emperor Hirohito

The Pacific Theater • Japan had already been at war in Manchuria (1931) and China (1937) long before the Second World War started in Europe when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. • By 1941, Japanese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region had made confrontation and war with the United States increasingly certain.

THE RAPE OF NANKING • By 1937 Japan had captured many major Chinese cities including Shanghai • In early December 1937, Japan surrounded the city of Nanking. The Chinese army retreated, forcing the citizens to have to defend themselves against the Japanese. • With the city firmly in the hands of the Japanese, the figurative and literal rape of Nanking began • The Japanese focused their attention on the Nanking Safety Zone

Nanking Safety Zone • • Refugee camp within the city of Nanking The camp was about 3. 5 square miles It housed approximately 200, 000 – 250, 000 refugees It was run by 22 foreigners living in China who did not flee when the Japanese invaded

The Nanking Safety Zone

• With weak defenses, the Safety Zone was often raided by Japanese soldiers • The solders committed severe acts of barbarity within the walls of the Safety Zone • • • Rape Forced Incest Theft Arson Murder Execution of POW’s