Attracted by the cheap labour force and vast resources, Japan invades China in 1937. China must become part of the 'East Asian Economic Co-Prosperity Sphere'. The bulk of China is controlled by the Nationalist Party (Guomindang), which is especially strong in the urban areas. The Communists entrench themselves in the countryside. Both parties use posters to try and mobilize the population to resist the common enemy, Japan. The Japanese also use posters to justify their military presence and to make it clear to the population that any resistance is useless. The posters on display here are extremely rare.