The Rest Is History 235. China and World War II (Part 1)
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Sep 20, 2022 
Rana Mitter, a Professor of History and Politics at Oxford and expert on modern Chinese history, joins the discussion on China's pivotal role in World War II. He argues that the war's true beginning can be traced back to 1937, highlighting the overlooked significance of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The conversation dives into China's political fragmentation, the rivalry between Nationalists and Communists, and the complex legacy of figures like Wang Jingwei. Mitter provides insight into Shanghai's dramatic decline amidst the conflict and the struggle for Chinese sovereignty.
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WWII's Start Date
- The Second World War's traditional start date of 1939 is Eurocentric.
- The Sino-Japanese War, starting in 1937, should be considered the true beginning of World War II.
China's Destabilization
- 19th-century Westernization destabilized China, leading to nationalism and internal conflicts.
- The Opium Wars forced China open, leading to territorial losses and weakened sovereignty.
Japanese Imperialism
- Japan rapidly modernized and built an empire, mirroring Western powers.
- In 1931, Japan staged the Mukden Incident, annexing Manchuria and installing Puyi as emperor.
