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Second Sino-Japanese War Facts & Worksheets

The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) was a significant conflict that took place between China and Japan. It began on July 7, 1937, with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which marked the outbreak of hostilities.

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The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) was a significant conflict that took place between China and Japan. It began on July 7, 1937, with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which marked the outbreak of hostilities. The war continued until September 9, 1945, when Japan officially surrendered to the Allied forces, marking the end of World War II.

See the fact file below for more information about the Second Sino-Japanese War, or you can download our 26-page Second Sino-Japanese War worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CAUSES OF THE WAR

  • The Second Sino-Japanese War had multiple underlying and immediate causes, including territorial disputes, economic interests, and a history of tension between China and Japan. Here are some of the primary causes of the conflict:
  • Territorial Disputes: One of the major causes of the war was territorial disputes between China and Japan. 
  • Japan sought to expand its influence and territory in East Asia, and there were long-standing disputes over regions like Manchuria and Inner Mongolia. The Mukden Incident of 1931, when Japanese forces staged an incident as a pretext to occupy Manchuria, was an early indicator of these tensions.
  • Economic Interests: Japan, which had limited natural resources, sought to secure access to China’s vast resources, such as coal, iron, and oil. 
  • Control over China would also provide Japan with a potentially lucrative market for its products. Economic factors played a significant role in Japan’s expansionist ambitions.
  • Nationalism and Militarism: In both China and Japan, there was a rise in nationalism and militarism during the early 20th century. In Japan, ultra-nationalist factions within the military and government gained influence and advocated for an aggressive foreign policy. 
  • In China, the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek was striving to unify the country under its rule and resist foreign encroachments.
  • Deteriorating Relations: Relations between China and Japan had been deteriorating for years leading up to the war. Incidents along the border, ideological clashes, and diplomatic failures contributed to this hostility.
  • Marco Polo Bridge Incident: The immediate trigger for the war was the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which occurred on July 7, 1937, near Beijing (then known as Beiping). Japanese and Chinese troops clashed near the bridge, leading to an escalation of hostilities. This incident marked the beginning of the full-scale conflict.
  • International Context: The Second Sino-Japanese War occurred in the broader context of global politics in the 1930s. 
  • The international community, preoccupied with the Great Depression and other issues, largely failed to respond effectively to Japan’s aggression. This emboldened Japan to continue its expansion in China.
  • Chinese Resistance: Despite being militarily weaker than Japan, China put up a determined resistance against Japanese aggression. The Chinese Nationalist government and the Chinese Communist Party formed a united front against the common enemy, and this resistance had a significant impact on the course of the war.

KEY EVENTS OF THE WAR

  • Marco Polo Bridge Incident (July 7, 1937): This incident near Beijing marked the start of the war. 
  • Shanghai Battle (August 13, 1937 – November 26, 1937): The Battle of Shanghai was one of the earliest and bloodiest engagements of the war. 
  • Japanese forces launched a full-scale assault on the city, which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.
  • Nanjing Massacre (December 1937 – January 1938): Following the fall of Nanjing (Nanking), Japanese forces carried out a brutal campaign of mass killings, rapes, and atrocities against Chinese civilians and soldiers in what became known as the Nanjing Massacre or the Rape of Nanking.
  • Battle of Tai’erzhuang (March 1938): Chinese forces achieved a significant victory over Japanese forces at Tai’erzhuang, temporarily slowing the Japanese advance.
  • Battle of Wuhan (June 11, 1938 – October 27, 1938): Wuhan was an important industrial and transportation hub in central China. The battle for Wuhan saw intense fighting, but Japanese forces eventually captured the city.
  • Chinese Communist-Guerrilla Warfare: Throughout the war, Chinese Communist forces, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, conducted guerrilla warfare behind Japanese lines. This strategy helped to tie down Japanese forces and contributed to the overall resistance effort.
  • U.S. Support for China: The United States began providing support to China in the form of loans and military aid under the Lend-Lease Act. American volunteer pilots, known as the Flying Tigers, also played a significant role in defending China against Japanese air raids.
  • Doolittle Raid (April 18, 1942): In a daring raid led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, American bombers launched an air raid on Tokyo and other Japanese cities, demonstrating that Japan was vulnerable to attack. This boosted Chinese morale and had a psychological impact on Japan.
  • Yalta Conference (February 1945): At the Yalta Conference, the Allied leaders (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) discussed the post-war order and the role of China in the United Nations, signaling the recognition of China’s contribution to the Allied war effort.
  • Surrender of Japan (September 2, 1945): The war came to an end when Japan officially surrendered on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, marking the end of World War II and the Second Sino-Japanese War.

THE AFTERMATH OF THE WAR

  • The aftermath of the Second Sino-Japanese War, which ended in 1945 with Japan’s surrender, had significant and far-reaching consequences for both China and Japan, as well as for the broader geopolitical landscape in East Asia. Here are some of the key aspects of the aftermath:
  • Occupation of Japan: After Japan’s surrender in 1945, the country was occupied by Allied forces, primarily led by the United States. General Douglas MacArthur served as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) and oversaw the occupation. 
  • The occupation aimed to demilitarize and democratize Japan, dismantle its empire, and bring about social and political reforms.
  • War Crimes Trials: The Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal, often referred to as the Tokyo Trials or the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), was held to prosecute Japanese leaders responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other offenses committed during the war. 
  • Several Japanese military and political leaders were convicted and sentenced.
  • Return of Territories: As part of the post-war settlement, Japan was required to return territories it had occupied during the war. This included the return of Manchuria (northeastern China), Taiwan, and various islands in the Pacific.
  • Chinese Civil War: The end of World War II and the Second Sino-Japanese War did not bring immediate peace to China. 
  • The Chinese Civil War between the Nationalist forces (led by Chiang Kai-shek) and the Communist forces (led by Mao Zedong) resumed. 
  • The civil war eventually resulted in the victory of the Communists in 1949 and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
  • Legacy of Suffering: Both China and Japan suffered immense human and material losses during the war. 
  • The conflict left a deep and lasting impact on the memories and collective consciousness of both nations. The Nanjing Massacre, in particular, remains a highly sensitive and contentious issue in Sino-Japanese relations.
  • Economic Recovery: In the post-war period, Japan embarked on a remarkable process of economic recovery and reconstruction, often referred to as the “Japanese economic miracle.” With the support of the United States, Japan’s economy rapidly grew, and the country became an economic powerhouse in the second half of the 20th century.
  • Normalization of Relations: Over time, China and Japan made efforts to normalize diplomatic relations. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People’s Republic of China was signed in 1978, officially normalizing relations between the two countries.
  • Geopolitical Implications: The outcome of the Second Sino-Japanese War had significant implications for the balance of power in East Asia. 
  • China emerged as a major regional player, while Japan, as a defeated nation, adopted a pacifist constitution and pursued a non-aggressive foreign policy.
  • Impact on the United States: The war also shaped the United States’ post-war foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. established security alliances with Japan and other nations, such as South Korea and Taiwan, as part of its containment strategy against the spread of communism.
  • The aftermath of the Second Sino-Japanese War had a profound and lasting impact on the political, economic, and social dynamics of East Asia. 
  • It influenced the relationships between China, Japan, and the United States, and it continues to be a subject of historical study and diplomatic dialogue.

Second Sino-Japanese War Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Second Sino-Japanese War across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) was a significant conflict that took place between China and Japan.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Second Sino-Japanese War Facts
  2. Countries at War
  3. Historical Ladder
  4. The Marco Polo Bridge Incident
  5. The Battle of Shanghai
  6. War Heroes
  7. Effects of the War
  8. A Memoriam
  9. Weapons and Technology
  10. China Today
  11. A Short Essay

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main causes of the Second Sino-Japanese War?

The main causes of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) include territorial disputes, economic interests, and ideological differences. Tensions between China and Japan escalated over Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and subsequent expansion into northern China.

When did the Second Sino-Japanese War begin, and how did it unfold?

The Second Sino-Japanese War officially began on July 7, 1937, with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Japan’s invasion of China led to a full-scale conflict that involved widespread battles across Chinese territory. The conflict continued until Japan’s surrender in 1945, coinciding with the end of World War II.

What were the major battles and campaigns of the Second Sino-Japanese War?

Significant battles and campaigns of the Second Sino-Japanese War include the Battle of Shanghai (1937), the Rape of Nanking (1937-1938), the Battle of Wuhan (1938), and the Burma Campaign (1942-1945). These engagements had a profound impact on the course of the war and the overall dynamics in the region.

How did international powers respond to the Second Sino-Japanese War?

Initially, the international response to the Second Sino-Japanese War was limited, with many nations preoccupied by their own concerns. However, as the conflict merged with World War II, China became one of the Allies, receiving support from the United States and other nations. The war in the Pacific theater, which included the Sino-Japanese conflict, played a crucial role in the broader context of World War II.

What were the consequences of the Second Sino-Japanese War?

  • The Second Sino-Japanese War had significant consequences for both China and Japan. China experienced immense human suffering, with millions of casualties and widespread destruction. The war contributed to the strengthening of the Chinese Communist Party and set the stage for the Chinese Civil War. For Japan, the conflict led to its isolation and eventual defeat in 1945, with the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. The war’s aftermath had lasting implications for the geopolitics of East Asia.

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