Move to Global War 1.2

Northern Expedition

A campaign to unite China and defeat the warlords. in 6 months, the GMD and CCP defeated 34 warlords. Received food from peasants. GMD and CCP co-operated, together defeating northern warlords and imperialists. The solders on the Northern Expedition asked peasants not to pay rent / debts

Marco Polo Bridge Incident

A clash between Japanese and Chinese troops in the outskirts of Beijing on July 7, 1937. The Japanese government used this as an excuse to occupy Beijing. When Chiang Kai Shek refused to give way, full-scale war broke out between China and Japan.

Koda-ha or Imperial Way

A political faction in the Imperial Japanese Army, active in the 1920s and 1930s and largely supported by junior officers aiming to establish a military government that promoted totalitarian, militarist, and expansionist ideals. It was never an organized political party and had no official standing within the Army.

Tosei-ha or Control faction

A political faction in the Imperial Japanese Army, active in the 1920s and 1930s that wanted to use legal means to foster military power and influence over the government.

Anti-Commintern Pact

Agreement between Japan and Germany pledging to stop the spread of Russian communism

Jiang Jieshi

Chiang Kai-shek

Pearl Harbor Attack (1941)

Dec 7 1941; Japanese attack American naval base and airforces in Oahu to destroy the US Pacific fleet; US declares war on Japan; Italy and Germany declare war on US

Mukden Incident (1931)

Event where Japan stages an explosion near one of their train stations in Manchuria, they claim the Chinese attempted to destroy their station, they use this as a catalytic motive to invade Manchuria.

London Naval Treaty

In 1930, the Washington Naval Treaty has to be re-negotiated. The Japanese's naval strength is limited and the government is criticized for betraying national interests. The Prime minister was assassinated after this as a result.

Manchukuo

In 1932 Japan established this puppet state in their conquered territories of Manchuria. In 1933 the League of Nations reprimanded Japan, and so the nation withdrew from the organization, which was at the same time as Germany withdrawing as well

The Rape of Nanking

In late 1937, Japan defeated the Chinese city of Nanking. Chinese civilians were brutalized and thousands were killed. The event shocked Western powers and contributed to sanctions against Japan.

Asia Monroe Doctrine

Japan declared its responsibility for maintaining peace in Asia.

Manchurian Crisis

Japan wanted some of China's natural resources and space. in 1932 Japan annexed an area in Manchuria after an alleged attack by the Chinese in 1931.

Imperial Rule Assistance Association

Replaced all political parties in Japan in 1940, bringing an end to multi-party politics.

Tripartite Pact

Signed between the Axis powers in 1940 (Italy, Germany and Japan) where they pledged to help the others in the event of an attack by the US

Kwantung Army

The Japanese army posted in Manchuria to guard the South Manchurian Railway and other Japanese interests. It was increasingly acting without authorization from the government. They assassinated Zhang Zuolin in 1928 and seized Manchuria in 1931. When the Japanese government ordered them to withdraw, they refused.

Guomindang (GMD)

The Nationalist Party of China, sometimes known as KMT

United Front

The agreement between the Communists and Nationalist in 1921 to defeat the warlords and again in 1936 to defeat the Japanese.

The Dark Valley

The time period in the 1920s and 1930s when factions of the Japanese Imperial Army vied for power in Japan and destabilized the government. Marked by multiple assassinations and attacks on government and civil buildings.

May 15th Incident

The trial of the conspirators involved in the assassination of Japanese Prime Minister Inukai in May 1932. Revealed widespread support for their actions and general disillusionment with the ruling political parties.

Treaty of Tanggu aka Tangku Truce (1933)

Was a ceasefire signed between China and Empire of Japan in Tanggu District, Tianjin on May 31, 1933, formally ending the Japanese invasion of Manchuria which had begun two years earlier.