Music and Politics: Chinese Songs of Resistance against Japan Based on the 5W Model of Communication

A series of military conflicts between China and Japan broke out from 1931 to 1945, which are most commonly known in China as Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.Against this backdrop, a large number of songs emerged and were widely sang for the purpose of national salvation.Drawing on the analysis framework of the 5W Model of Communication proposed by Harold D. Lasswell, this article explores the communication process of Chinese war songs during the Fourteen-Year War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.It also compares the changes that the communication of Chinese songs of resistance against Japan undergone in the aspects of communicators, themes, channels and audiences during two periods of 1931-1937 and 1937-1945.This article argues that the wartime communication of Chinese songs of resistance against Japan should not only be regarded as a purely artistic act of singing, but also as a political tool to mobilize various sectors of Chinese society to participate in the War of Resistance against Japan and win the sympathy and support of the international community.