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=Japanese Imperialism and The Nanjing Massacre=

=Background: **Japanese Aggression**As the 1920s came to an end, Japan’s military gained power, widening the gap between the military and the civilian government. Without civilian controls, Japan’s military became more aggressive toward other nations. **War in China** Conflict between Japan and China had continued ever since the Manchurian Incident, but grew worse as Japan became increasingly aggressive and seized more territory in eastern China.With tensions rising, a series of violent incidents in the summer of 1937 between Chinese troops and Japanese forces stationed in China led to open warfare between the two nations. This conflict became known as the Second Sino-Japanese War. One of the war’s early battles occurred in Nanjing, also known as Nanking. After capturing the city, Japanese troops went on a murderous rampage, killing Chinese soldiers and civilians alike. At least 100,000 Chinese men, women, and children were killed in the **Nanjing Massacre**. The world reacted in horror to the bloody incident.= Key Questions: 1. How could anyone commit the acts that ocurred during the Nanjing Massacre? 2. What was the intention of the Japanese Government/Military during the seige? 3. What were the lasting effects of the Massacre on the Chinese people?

Lesson Objectives: Students will understand the human toll of Japanese imperialism and militarization through examining a first hand account of the Nanjing Masscre Students will thoughtfully reflect and share their responses with other members of the class Students will use their notes to create a written reflection about the primary source