Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 3 The Japanese threat, 1931–41:…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 38.2: The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 3 The Japanese threat, 1931–41: The impact of war, 1937–39; the seizure of the coast; the rape of Nanjing; the retreat to Chongqing. The role and importance of the USA, 1940–41; the significance of 7 December 1941 for China.
From 1937 to 1939 Japan seized China's coastal cities and major rivers, cutting customs revenue and industrial output and pushing the GMD inland.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
From 1937 to 1939 Japan seized China's coastal cities and major rivers, cutting customs revenue and industrial output and pushing the GMD inland. Nanjing fell in December 1937; the atrocities that followed, known as the rape of Nanjing, killed large numbers of civilians and prisoners and hardened Chinese resistance. The government retreated to Chongqing, governing from a bombed, blockaded base while the CCP expanded in rural north China. From 1940 to 1941 the USA moved from limited aid to Lend-Lease support and embargoes on Japan. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 brought the USA into the war, made China an Allied partner, and turned the conflict into a global struggle.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the seizure of the coast damaged Chinese revenue, industry and supply lines between 1937 and 1939.
- Describes the fall of Nanjing and the scale and impact of the atrocities on civilians, soldiers and Chinese morale.
- Explains the retreat to Chongqing and the difficulties of governing and fighting from an inland, bombed base.
- Analyses US policy in 1940–41: aid, Lend-Lease, embargoes and growing tension with Japan.
- Explains why 7 December 1941 mattered for China: US entry, Allied status, globalisation of the war and changed aid prospects.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the rape of Nanjing as a minor episode.
Put it right by recognising its scale and its effect on Chinese resistance and international opinion.
Assuming Chongqing was a secure capital.
Put it right by noting bombing, blockade, inflation and supply problems.
Confusing US aid before and after Pearl Harbor.
Put it right by distinguishing limited pre-1941 support from full alliance after 7 December 1941.
Exam tips
- Use the 1937–39 and 1940–41 phases to structure answers chronologically.
- Connect military events to political and economic consequences for the GMD and CCP.
- Explain significance rather than only narrating events, especially for 7 December 1941.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 38.2: The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 3 The Japanese threat, 1931–41: The impact of war, 1937–39; the seizure of the coast; the rape of Nanjing; the retreat to Chongqing. The role and importance of the USA, 1940–41; the significance of 7 December 1941 for China. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
To which city did the Chinese Nationalist government retreat in order to continue resisting Japan after its coastal capital was lost?
Listen
From 1937 to 1939 Japan seized China's coastal cities and major rivers, cutting customs revenue and industrial output and pushing the GMD inland. Nanjing fell in December 1937; the atrocities that followed, known as the rape of Nanjing, killed large numbers of civilians and prisoners and hardened Chinese resistance. The government retreated to Chongqing, governing from a bombed, blockaded base while the CCP expanded in rural north China. From 1940 to 1941 the USA moved from limited aid to Lend-Lease support and embargoes on Japan. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 brought the USA into the war, made China an Allied partner, and turned the conflict into a global struggle. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the seizure of the coast damaged Chinese revenue, industry and supply lines between 1937 and 1939. Describes the fall of Nanjing and the scale and impact of the atrocities on civilians, soldiers and Chinese morale. Explains the retreat to Chongqing and the difficulties of governing and fighting from an inland, bombed base. Analyses US policy in 1940–41: aid, Lend-Lease, embargoes and growing tension with Japan. A common slip: Treating the rape of Nanjing as a minor episode. Instead, recognising its scale and its effect on Chinese resistance and international opinion. Exam tip: Use the 1937–39 and 1940–41 phases to structure answers chronologically.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Occupation and economic strangulation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Atrocity and civilian suffering
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Wartime government and retreat
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Internationalisation of the Sino-Japanese War
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Occupation and economic strangulation
- Japan's seizure of China's coastal cities and major rivers cut customs revenue and industrial output and pushed the GMD inland.
- Atrocity and civilian suffering
- The atrocities that followed the fall of Nanjing in December 1937 killed large numbers of civilians and prisoners and hardened Chinese resistance.
- Wartime government and retreat
- The government retreated to Chongqing, governing from a bombed, blockaded base while the CCP expanded in rural north China.
- Internationalisation of the Sino-Japanese War
- Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 brought the USA into the war, made China an Allied partner and turned the conflict into a global struggle.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 38.2: The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 3 The Japanese threat, 1931–41: The impact of war, 1937–39; the seizure of the coast; the rape of Nanjing; the retreat to Chongqing. The role and importance of the USA, 1940–41; the significance of 7 December 1941 for China.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge