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Abstract

This dissertation seeks to analyse the historiographical nature of Japan’s atrocities in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the effects that this has had on Sino-Japanese relations post1945. To examine this the first chapter focuses on the barbarities that occurred and the arguments put forward by historians to come to a consensus on the atrocities. The second chapter will focus on the response from the international community, primarily using primary sources to understand their limitations in coming to the aid of China. This is important to understand the effects of the war crimes. Due to the fact, that it is in part the inaction of the international community which allowed the Japanese Empire to commit the atrocities that they had done. This dissertation clearly shows that there is a direct correlation between the memory of the conflict through historiographical positions in China and Japan, as well as a consensus held in society towards the events that took place and the lack of reconciliation afterwards has led to fractured diplomatic, bilateral and geopolitical relations in the decades following the conflict. Through this analysis, there is a clear juxtaposition in foreign policy between the two nations which can be categorised as periods of discord and economic synergy.

Course: History - BA (Hons) - C1087

Date Deposited: 2024-09-20

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14456.html