The Nanjing Massacre
by: Aaron Anderson
Importance of the Nanjing Massacre
Before the Nanjing Massacre, China and Japan were allies and shared any cultural similarities. Chinese troops were ordered to protect Nanjing with the few troops that they had. Japanese soldiers eventually captured Nanjing and began to massacre civilians as well as looted, and raped the women. The death toll of civilians is estimated between 40,000 to over 300,000, and the amount of women sexually assaulted is estimated to be between 20,000 and 80,000. Some people deny that the massacre even occurred at all. Nanjing, then the capital of China was left in ruins and would take years to recover.
Defending Nanjing
Untrained Chinese auxiliary troops were ordered to defend Nanjing, but were quickly defeated.
Civilian Death Toll
The death toll of civilians in the Nanjing massacre is estimated between 40,000 and 300,000 deaths.
The Nanjing Memorial Hall
The Nanjing Memorial hall was built in 1985 by the Nanjing Municipal Government in memorial of the horrific events that occurred.
The "Nanjing Massacre" or "Rape of Nanjing" took place over a six week period starting on December 19, 1937. Chinese officials ordered the evacuation of all official Chinese soldiers, but denied the evacuation of any civilians, this left the city of Nanjing to be defended by untrained auxiliary troops. Some civilians denied the order to stay in the city and fled, but ran into Japanese troops.
Aftermath of Nanjing
The above picture shows some of the destruction from the Nanjing Massacre
Nanjing Map
The above picture shows the location of Nanjing, which used to be the capital of China
Current Nanjing
The above picture shows what Nanjing looks like today.