On 7 July 1937, Japan invaded China from Manchuria.
Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Nationalist government, called on warlords of all provinces to unite against Japan. Chiang also requested help from the Communists, thus starting the Second United Front.
On 8 August, the "Supreme Council of National Defense" was created, with Chiang assigned as head of the council, also known as the Generalissimo; On 13 August, the Japanese Army landed in Shanghai.
Since the Chinese army was weak and unprepared, Chiang was forced into a passive state and cannot organise any effective attacks on the front. In December, the capital of China, Nanking, was captured by the Japanese where the infamous Nanking Massacre happened. Meanwhile, the Japanese were also advancing rapidly on the Manchurian front.
By the end of the year, most of Hopei (河北) was captured by Japan.
In early 1938, several puppet states in northern China were set up by Japan in an attempt to win support from the Chinese people. However, their work was in vain as many had heard the Nanking massacre already, causing many Chinese people to show hatred towards Japan
In May, the Japanese Army coming from the north, met up with the Shanghai Expedition Force in Kiangsu (江蘇); In October, another force was sent to capture Canton (廣州) and other coastal Chinese cities.
By the end of 1938, most cities in northern and northeastern China were captured by the Japanese. However, partisan activity were frequent, especially in the countryside.
test