The atrocity of the Nanjing Massacre is explored, along with the ethics of bombing civilians and how it was presented in a historical context, while also addressing the issue of how western imperialism and mass bombing became associated, considering the many victims in the east that suffered during the war.
Japan was bogged down in a guerrilla war in China with hundreds of thousands of troops requiring constant supplies. As events in the rest of the world, such as the start of WWII, unfolded, the lay of the land for Japan quickly changed, making it difficult for them to determine their next move while still being fully addicted to their conquest of China.
The 1930s was a decade marked by economic hardship and political instability due to the Great Depression. It was challenging for leaders to address the economic crisis, let alone engage in major world affairs.