The Cause



Fig.5- Japanese forces invading
the city of Nanking

  The Cause of the Rape of Nanking was “tension between China and Japan escalating in the early 20^th century, precipitating the events during WWII at Nanking” (Chang). Japan signed the treaty of Kanghwa with Korea; in this treaty it declared Korea independent, which weakened Chinas hold on them. In March 1894 a domestic rebellion broke out with Japan and China over the Korean Monarchy.



Fig.6- Japanese Soldiers going into the
City of Nanking by sea.


After the revolt over, “China proposed immediate withdrawal of foreign troops, which Japan ignored” (Chang). Japan surprise attacked Chinese troops in Korea, making more tension and starting the First Sino-Japanese war. “The Japanese quickly defeated Chinese forces in Pyongyang and at the sea and under the terms of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, China was made to acknowledge complete independence of Korea” (Pong).