Nanjing Massacre Explained: What Happened in China’s Capital in 1937
The Nanjing Massacre remains one of history’s worst war crimes. This explainer details what happened, how many died, and why it still matters today.
What Was the Nanjing Massacre and Why It Matters
TheInterviewTimes.com | December 13, 2025, 7:30 PM IST: The Nanjing Massacre stands as one of the most brutal episodes of mass violence in modern history. Beginning on December 13, 1937, after the Japanese Imperial Army captured Nanjing—then the capital of the Republic of China—Japanese troops carried out widespread killings, rape, and destruction over a period of roughly six weeks. The atrocity occurred during the Second Sino-Japanese War, which later merged into the broader conflict of World War II.
Historians and postwar tribunals estimate that between 200,000 and 300,000 Chinese civilians and disarmed soldiers were killed, making the Nanjing Massacre a defining symbol of wartime brutality in East Asia. The episode continues to shape Chinese national memory and remains a sensitive issue in international relations today.
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How the Nanjing Massacre Began
The roots of the Nanjing Massacre lie in the rapid escalation of conflict between China and Japan in 1937. Following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing in July, full-scale war erupted. Japanese forces advanced aggressively, capturing Shanghai after months of fierce fighting that severely weakened Chinese defenses.
As Japanese troops pushed inland, Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek ordered the evacuation of Nanjing to preserve his forces. When Japanese troops entered the city on December 13, 1937, organized resistance had largely collapsed. Instead of stabilizing the city, sections of the occupying army unleashed systematic violence against the remaining population.
Mass Killings and Widespread Sexual Violence
During the Nanjing Massacre, large-scale executions became routine. Chinese prisoners of war were rounded up, tied together, and shot, bayoneted, or burned alive. Many civilian men were falsely labeled as soldiers and killed without any investigation or trial.
Sexual violence was a defining feature of the atrocity. Historical estimates suggest 20,000 to 80,000 women and girls were raped, many repeatedly. Victims ranged from young children to elderly women. In numerous cases, rape was followed by murder, and entire families were killed in their homes. Looting and arson were also widespread, with nearly one-third of Nanjing destroyed during the occupation.
Humanitarian Efforts and Survival
Amid the chaos of the Nanjing Massacre, a small group of Western missionaries, doctors, and diplomats established what became known as the Nanjing Safety Zone. Led by German businessman John Rabe, the zone sheltered an estimated 200,000 Chinese civilians, saving countless lives despite limited resources and constant danger.
Diaries, photographs, and reports from these witnesses later became critical evidence in documenting the atrocities. Their firsthand accounts provided rare, independent confirmation of the scale of violence committed during the massacre.
Death Toll Estimates and Historical Debate
The exact death toll of the Nanjing Massacre has been the subject of long-standing debate. Chinese sources and postwar tribunals commonly cite figures between 200,000 and 300,000 deaths, based on burial records, eyewitness testimony, and demographic studies. Some Western scholars estimate lower numbers, while others support higher figures.
Despite differences in estimates, there is broad consensus among mainstream historians that mass killings and systematic sexual violence occurred on a massive scale. Denial or minimization of the massacre by fringe groups has been widely rejected by the international academic community.
War Crimes Trials and Long-Term Impact
After World War II, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and the Nanjing War Crimes Tribunal held Japanese military leaders accountable. General Matsui Iwane, commander of Japanese forces in central China, was convicted for failing to prevent atrocities and executed in 1948.
The legacy of the Nanjing Massacre continues to influence East Asian geopolitics. Annual memorials in China, history textbook debates in Japan, and recurring diplomatic tensions underscore how unresolved historical memory can shape modern international relations.
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Key Takeaways
The Nanjing Massacre remains one of the most documented and devastating war crimes of the 20th century. Hundreds of thousands of civilians and prisoners of war were killed in just weeks. The atrocity highlights the human cost of unchecked military violence. Remembering it remains essential for historical accountability and reconciliation.