From the time that Japan seized Manchuria in 1931 until the war erupted in 1937, Japanese treats, attacks, and economic demands pressed Nationalist China relentlessly and aroused popular indignation. Japanese imperialism in China during this period has been studied in the West primarily for its impact on international affairs and the development of the Chinese Communist Party. In this study, Parks M. Coble focuses instead on how events affected the Chinese government, regional military and political leaders, and public opinion.
