The purpose of this thesis is to shed light on the ways the Republic of China contributed to the victory of the Allied Powers in World War II. My aim is to demonstrate that the Republic of China played an important role in achieving the common goal of the Allied Powers, although its role is often overlooked and neglected in World War II literature. I stress three main aspects of Chinese government’s engagement: the Republic of China was both the first and, at the same time, the longest battlefield of the Second World War, and is among the forces that contributed to the world victory over fascism through their efforts; the diplomatic activity of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek contributed to strengthening the connection between the Republic of China and potential allies in the fight against the Axis powers; the army of the Republic of China diligently prevented the further advance of the Japanese army both in China and in British Burma. By researching both the beginning and the dimensions of the Second World War in China, or rather the connection between the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Second World War, I want to emphasize that a conflict of global proportions actually began in China, and that this cannot be ignored when researching the Second World War.
|