Chao-Wei Francis Ku

Summary of the Battle of Shanghai

            The Battle of Shanghai represented the first major conflict between Chinese forces and Imperial Japanese forces in the Second Sino-Japanese War. This battle was fought between the National Revolutionary Army, representing the Republic of China, and the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, representing the Empire of Japan. The Battle of Shanghai is extremely significant in the course of the Second Sino-Japanese War because it set the precedent for the philosophy of unwavering Chinese resistance for the course of the war. Although the National Revolutionary Army was defeated, the fact that the Chinese were able to hold the city of Shanghai for 3 months gave sorely needed morale to the Chinese people who have only known defeat ever since the days of Imperialism. It also severely demoralized the Imperial Japanese Army who, so confident in the superiority of their race, suffered heavy casualties and humiliation in the fact that they expected to have defeated China in the course of only 3 weeks. The events surrounding the Battle of Shanghai include a few concepts learned in class. The incident that started this event, the Oyama Incident, could possibly be thought of as part of an iterated Game of Chicken. The battle could also be thought of as strictly determined. This would seem to contradict the Game of Chicken, however, the worst outcome in the Game of Chicken should be considered as the lack of time given to each side in preparations for the battle, not the battle itself taking place. The Battle of Shanghai taking place during the Second Sino-Japanese War is what is strictly determined. Credible commitment is also used by in the Battle of Shanghai in order to try gaining International support.