Students are introduced to the history of Western imperialism in East Asia and its influence on the identities and ambitions of Japan and China.
Students are introduced to the history of Western imperialism in East Asia and its influence on the identities and ambitions of Japan and China.
China in the 1920s was a new republic confronting great challenges—economic, political, and social. One of the most devastating was the early 1920s North China famine. Because this region of China was densely populated, the effects of this crisis affected millions. Triggered by a severe drought, the famine killed crops and devastated the livelihood of farmers in the northern plains of China. But dying crops was only one consequence. Thousands fled the area; others sold children into slavery, and upward of half a million people died. The areas decimated were largely governed by warlords, which further aggravated the situation since they used the crisis for their own political and economic gain.
Lead students through a study of the Nanjing atrocities, beginning with an examination of imperialism in East Asia and ending with reflection on justice in the aftermath of mass violence.
Learn about a resistance group that used literary efforts to respond to the Japanese occupation of China.
Scholar Joshua A. Fogel discusses the history of interactions between Japan and China.
Scholar Rana Mitter describes the evolution of China into a fledgling republic.
Students examine sources that shed light on the underlying causes of the outbreak of World War II in Asia.