The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 was a conflict between the Qing Empire of China and the Empire of Japan over control of Korea. The war is also known as the First Sino-Japanese War and it marked Japan’s first military victory over a major imperial power.
The roots of the war were deep, and can be traced back to the increased presence of Western powers in East Asia during the late 19th century. This new presence in the region threatened long-standing Chinese dominance and Japan was determined to prevent other powers from taking advantage of its weakened neighbor.
The immediate cause of the Sino-Japanese War was the increasing tension between the two nations over the status of Korea. In 1876, Japan had signed a treaty with Korea that allowed it to send advisors to help the Korean royal court. In 1884, China sent a mission to Korea to strengthen its diplomatic ties with the Korean monarchy. This action angered Japan, leading to an ultimatum demanding that the Chinese leave Korea. When the Chinese refused, war became inevitable.
The underlying issues at play in the Sino-Japanese War were related to the power dynamics of the late 19th century. Japan was an emerging power in East Asia and sought to challenge Chinese hegemony in the region. With newfound support from the United Kingdom and France, Japan felt emboldened to make demands on China’s traditional sphere of influence.
At the same time, Japan was motivated by a sense of nationalism and a desire to prove its modernity and strength. After the Meiji Restoration of the 1860s, Japan had embarked on a rapid modernization process which had transformed it into a modern nation. The conscious rejection of Chinese cultural and political traditions and the adoption of western values created a powerful motivation for Japan to prove its strength and independence.
In addition to these underlying causes, there were also immediate reasons that led to the Sino-Japanese War. In the late 1880s and early 1890s, Chinese and Japanese troops clashed around the border of Korea, leading to a number of minor skirmishes. This escalated tensions between the two countries and weakened the sense of mutual trust between them.
The spark that ultimately started the war was the assassination of the Korean reformer and anti-Japanese activist Kim Okgyun by Japanese agents in 1894. This event provoked fierce public outcry in both China and Korea and increased the already high level of animosity between the two nations.
The war itself lasted from August 1894 to April 1895 and resulted in a decisive Japanese victory. The Treaty of Shimonoseki saw Japan take control of the former Chinese protectorate of Taiwan as well as the Liaodong Peninsula in Manchuria. The war revealed Japan’s newfound strength and heralded a new era in East Asian international relations.
In conclusion, the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 was caused by a combination of long-term and immediate factors. Deep-rooted tensions between the two nations, the increasing presence of the West in East Asia, Japan’s emerging power and nationalism, and the escalation of minor skirmishes all contributed to the outbreak of war. The assassination of Kim Okgyun provided the final spark and the war ended with a decisive Japanese victory, paving the way for a new era in East Asian history.