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Historical pictures of Chongqing
In 1937, Japan invaded China and conquered much of the coastal region.
In 1937, Japan invaded China, initiating the Second Sino-Japanese War. By the end of that year, Japanese forces had captured key cities along China’s eastern coast, including Shanghai and the national capital, Nanjing. The fall of Nanjing was marked by the tragic event known as the Nanjing Massacre.
Facing the rapid Japanese advance, the Nationalist Government (Guomindang, 国民党) under Chiang Kai-shek decided to retreat inland. They relocated the government to Chongqing, in Sichuan province, effectively establishing it as the wartime capital of China from 1938 to 1946.
This relocation prompted one of the largest internal migrations in Chinese history, known as dahoufang (大后方), with millions of people, including government officials, foreign embassies, industrial facilities, and universities, moving to Chongqing. This movement transformed Chongqing into a political, economic, and cultural hub during the war years.
Chongqing also became a major target for Japanese air raids, resulting in significant destruction and civilian casualties. Despite these hardships, the city played a crucial role in the Chinese war effort, serving as a base for military planning and international diplomacy.
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From November 1937 to May 1946, Chongqing served as the provisional capital of China under Chiang Kai Shek. The city was formally declared the second capital (陪都, pei du) on September 6, 1940. This strategic designation highlighted its importance during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II.
Following the entry of the Allies into the Pacific War in 1941, Chongqing became a central hub for Allied operations in Asia. General Joseph Stilwell, one of the Allied deputy commanders for operations in Southeast Asia, was based in Chongqing. Stilwell worked closely with Chiang Kai-shek, particularly in coordinating the Chinese war effort against Japan and managing the flow of Allied aid to China.
From 1938 to 1943, Chongqing endured sustained and heavy bombing campaigns by the Japanese Imperial Air Force. These air raids, known as the Bombing of Chongqing (重庆大轰炸, Chongqing da hongzha), were met with determined resistance by the Chinese Air Force and anti-aircraft artillery units. Despite the severe destruction and significant civilian casualties, the city’s defenses held firm.
Due to the resilience of its residents and the relentless defense against Japanese aggression, Chongqing earned the title of the “City of Heroes” (英雄之城, Yingxiong zhicheng), symbolizing the indomitable spirit of its people during one of the darkest periods in Chinese history.
Old Photographs of Chongqing
Source: http://blog.sohu.com/ via cinaoggi
Topic: old pictures of China, China old images, old photographs of China, Chongqing old photos, Historical images of Chongqing, China during Guomindang, China under the national government rule
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