On this day, 87 years ago, on July 7, 1937 (the twenty-ninth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar), the Lugou Bridge Incident occurred.
In this vast history, there are always some turning points, which are like thunder piercing the sky, announcing the advent of a new era. When it comes to China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, there is an incident that has to be mentioned, that is, the Lugou Bridge Incident that shocked China and the rest of the world. Today, let's look back on that magnificent history and explore how this event ignited the nation's anti-Japanese flames.
It was an extraordinary era, a period of humiliation and struggle. The Japanese invaders wantonly trampled on the land of China in an attempt to subjugate this pearl of the Orient to their feet by force. The Chinese people are facing unprecedented crises and challenges.
Against this backdrop, the Lugou Bridge in 1937 was unusually quiet and undercurrent. This ancient bridge has witnessed too many ups and downs, and this time, it is about to witness the awakening and rise of a nation.
Background to the event
As early as the Meiji Restoration, while establishing the modern emperor system, the company quickly embarked on the road of militarism of expansion and aggression, and formulated the so-called "mainland policy" with China and Korea as the main targets of aggression. At the beginning of the 20th century, Japan replaced Russia after the Russo-Japanese War, expanded its colonial power in Northeast China, stationed the Kwantung Army, and established the colonial organization "South Manchurian Railway Company", which used Northeast China as a base for colonial expansion against China. During World War I, Japan took advantage of the fact that the Western powers had no time to look eastward, vigorously expanded its aggression against China, sent troops to Shandong, and coerced Yuan Shikai to accept Japan's "21 demands" in vain attempt to swallow China, extending the clutches of aggression to the Chinese mainland. After World War I, Japan attempted to extricate itself from the political and economic crisis by intensifying its plundering of China, Korea, and other Asian countries, and made elaborate plans for invading China at the "Oriental Conference" in 1927.
On September 18, 1931, Japan launched a surprise attack on the northeast of the mainland, and occupied the entire northeast in more than three months. In the following year, the Japanese army attacked Shanghai (the January 28 Incident), captured a large area of North China, coerced Pingjin, established a puppet "Manchukuo" in Northeast China, and engaged in a so-called "autonomy movement" in North China, in a vain attempt to occupy these areas for a long time. In 1936, after the release of the "National Policy Benchmark," Japan's overall strategic plan, Japan held a "general" exercise, at which the generals who participated in the exercise explained the war arrangements for launching a war of aggression against China in an all-round way.
Direct cause
On the day of the incident, the Japanese army demanded to enter Wanping City to search under the pretext that a soldier was missing, which was undoubtedly a naked provocation. However, the 29th Army of the Kuomintang army at that time was not intimidated, they stuck to their posts and sternly rejected the unreasonable demands of the Japanese side. Immediately afterward, the Japanese began to gather forces, intending to achieve their goals by force. In this tense atmosphere, a gunshot pierced the quiet night, and the Lugou Bridge Incident officially broke out.
The event passed
The officers and men of the 29th Army resisted valiantly, and they used their flesh and blood to build the first line of defense to defend their homeland. In the midst of this fierce battle, countless heroes emerged, whose deeds continue to inspire future generations.
On the day of the incident, Chiang Kai-shek wrote in his diary: "He will take advantage of my unfinished preparations to force me to submit? Will it also be difficult to deal with Song Zheyuan? Forcing North China to become independent? Apparently, Chiang did not believe that the Japanese army's move was aimed at an all-out war against China. At that time, the total number of Japanese troops stationed in North China was only more than 6,000, and the total strength of Song Zheyuan's 29th Army and local security forces was about 100,000. This balance of power was an important reason why Chiang was inclined to believe that the Japanese army was aiming to create a second puppet state of Manchukuo rather than an all-out war against China.
In response, Chiang was determined to show the Chinese side's resolute stance and take a tough stance to thwart the Japanese plot. Therefore, on July 13, Chiang confessed to Song Zheyuan by telegram: "China has long been determined to use all its strength to resist the war, and it is better to break the jade than to be complete." At the same time, it was planned to take the opportunity to return the Central Army to North China.
On July 17, Jiang Geng declared in the "Lushan Speech": "If Beiping can become Shenyang, why can't Nanjing become Beiping!" Therefore, the deduction of the Lugou Bridge incident is an issue that has a bearing on the entire Chinese state, and whether this matter can be concluded is the realm of the last moment. In case it really comes to the inevitable last moment, of course, we only have sacrifice, only resistance; However, our attitude is only to respond to the war rather than to seek war, and responding to the war is a last resort and a last resort. …… We want peace, not peace; Prepare for battle, but never seek war. We know that the situation after the war will be the only way for the whole country to sacrifice to the end, and there is no reason to get away with it. If the war begins, it will be that there is no distinction between the north and the south, the old and the young, and no matter who they are, they all have the responsibility to defend the land and resist the war, and they should all have the determination to sacrifice everything. ”
Over time, this local conflict gradually escalated into a full-scale war of resistance against Japan. All parts of China have responded to the call, and people have taken up arms to participate in this great war of national liberation. In this process, countless Chinese sons and daughters have made tremendous sacrifices, but it is these sacrifices that have ultimately forged the strong backbone of the Chinese nation.
Event impact
The outbreak of the Lugou Bridge Incident not only means the beginning of a war, but also a sign of national awakening. It awakened the sleeping lion of the East and ignited the fighting spirit of the Chinese people to resist aggression and defend their homeland. From this moment on, the Chinese nation began an extremely arduous struggle against Japan, showing its tenacious vitality and indomitable fighting spirit.
This event directly led to the full-scale outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War and had a profound impact on Chinese history. It revealed the ambition and brutality of the Japanese invaders, and also awakened the national consciousness and patriotic fervor of the Chinese people. In the ensuing War of Resistance Against Japan, the Chinese people made great sacrifices and efforts, and finally won the victory.
Therefore, remembering history, remembering the martyrs, and cherishing peace are of utmost importance to every Chinese. For this reason, we would like to pay the highest tribute to all the martyrs who made great sacrifices in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and we must also remember the hardships and glories in those eventful years. Let's work together to create a better future!