THE SECOND SINO-JAPANESE WAR WAS FOUGHT OVER A BATHROOM BREAK
There have been some terrible, noble, and, dare we say, traditional reasons for starting a war. These range from destroying a restaurant to expanding your empire under the guise of religion to combatting terrorists and so on and so forth. But the Second Sino-Japanese War may have been one of the most peculiar reasons for setting things off. Also known as the War of Resistance, it took place from 1937 to 1945, a time filled with tension all over the world. But in the beginning, there were just flaring tempers, the Marco Polo Bridge, and a Japanese Private named Shimura Kikujiro who needed a bathroom break. The rest… well, the rest are important parts of events that arguably started World War II. Suggested read:How Many Nukes Does China Have and How Did We Get Here?
What Was the Second Sino-Japanese War?
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a battle between China and Japan. On the Chinese side of things, the nation was looking to resist Japanese imperialism, which had disregarded peace in the region during that time. The Japanese were attending to their mission. But while training, a commonality among the human experience would afflict one of their troops. He needed to use the restroom. When we look at what caused the Second Sino-Japanese War, we can’t help but wonder if a porta potty could have avoided the whole thing.
Nature Called, and War Answered the Phone
Chinese vs. Japanese troops engaging in a conflict during this time was nothing out of the ordinary. But the Second Sino-Japanese War causes were a set of circumstances that don’t often start international disputes creating geopolitical nightmares. And so the story goes, on July 7, 1937, there were troops from Japan located 10 miles from Beijing. The troops would undergo exercises that night near the Marco Polo Bridge, named after the infamous Venetian explorer himself. Private Shimura Kikujiro of the Japanese forces needed to go. We all have to go, but he needed to at a very inopportune time. Or perhaps it was a perfect time, as tensions weren’t exactly calm between the two sides, and if you’re looking for an excuse, you can usually find one. Either way, when Kikujiro took too long to return, others began searching. These efforts would fall short, however, as guards from China would stop them from entering the nearby town of Wanping. Violence ensued. This would become what is now known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which would lead to the deaths of millions and perhaps the very first conflict in World War II. It also played a huge role in the already-bad relations between the two countries.
Who Won the Second Sino-Japanese War?
Although it was a grind through and through, China would end up reclaiming lost territories, eventually ousting Japanese occupation, and setting the stage for the China Civil War. This led to the formation of the People's Republic of China by the communists and the exit of the Republic of China to Taiwan. It’s hard to say how many died, considering the time and location of the conflict, and just saying "millions of people" feels impersonal. The harsh reality is that this uprooted cultures and destroyed lives on a widespread scale. As many as 3 million to over 4 million people were killed during this conflict. When you throw in the complexities of civil war and national revolution, things only continue to get messy. The point is, it’s difficult to say who truly won when looking at the aftermath of this particular war. Relations between China and Japan would continue to be strained for years to come. Even though the conflict was primarily between China and Japan, Americans fought in this conflict against the Japanese forces, as well. Known as the Flying Tigers, these American mercenaries were the heroes of China and part of an American Volunteer Group of the Republic of China Air Force. Depending on who you ask, the Second Sino-Japanese War began World War II, and while it’s hard to believe WWII began over a trip to the bathroom, these events did play their part in a unique slice of history during the deadliest war of all time. Read next:Kilroy Was Here: The Infamous WWII Meme That Lives On