The Rape of Nanking was a six week period of atrocities against the Chinese from 1937-1938. This monstrosity of a genocide resulted in 300,000 deaths and billions of Chinese dollars lost in repair of buildings and homes. Japanese soldiers committed absolutely unthinkable acts: raping toddlers, murdering pregnant women, and simply shooting men for wearing a hat or the “wrong pair of shoes.” Whether it was having killing competitions or starving workers to death, the six weeks of complete terror in Nanking will never be forgotten and as a result has shaped our society today. Years before conquering Nanking, the Imperial Japanese Army and the Republic of China fought each other during the Second Sino-Japanese war. This battle was the result …show more content…
Driven by Japan’s hunger to conquer China, their eyes were set on invading the imperial capital, Nanking. With the Japanese armies rapidly advancing, Chinese soldiers in Shanghai resisted them fiercely in order for the Chinese government to evacuate important industries to a safer location along with gaining Western Powers to China’s side. Although the Japanese were expecting an easy victory against the Chinese, the Battle of Shanghai lasted for three months, however, the Chinese retreated. With Japan’s victory in Shanghai, Nanking was only a step closer. The violence brought by the Japanese against the Chinese were not only limited to the atrocities in Nanking. Officers gave consent to their soldiers that they could loot, rape, and kill as they wish. When the Japanese finally arrived at Nanking, it was then that China would ultimately face one of the most unbelievable and historical events that shaped their …show more content…
With the Safety Zone, the International Committee For The Nanking Safety Zone was established. A German and Nazi Party member John Rabe was elected as its leader. He kept a journal to document his experience. He wrote, “All the women and children, their eyes big with terror, are sitting on the grass in the garden, pressed closely together, in part to keep warm, in part to give each other courage. Their one hope is that I, the “Foreign Devil” will drive these evil spirits away.” (http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/nanking.htm) The Japanese did respect the Zone to a certain extent; they did still try to invade and occasionally shoot at the camps. The troops also would kidnap men and women from the camp and rape them. John Rabe did his best to keep everyone safe. Since he was a part of the Nazi Party, many of the Japanese troops feared him. Frequently, all he would need to do is show off his Swastika badge and the soldiers would retreat. If it weren’t for the small group of foreigners in Nanking, the entire population of the city would have been wiped out. John Rabe and the foreigners’ commitment to safety and creating the Safety Zone protected the citizens from