Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895

The Sino-Japanese War marked the emergence of Japan as a major world power and demonstrated the weakness of the Chinese Empire. The war grew out of competition for hegemony in Korea. Japan had become identified with the more radical modernizing faction within the Korean government, while China continued to sponsor the conservative faction associated with the royal family. Factional conflict supported by their Chinese and Japanese patrons almost resulted in war in 1884 but it was avoided by the signing of the Li-Ito (Tientsin) Convention, in which both states agreed to withdraw troops from Korea.

In 1894, however, Japan, flushed with national pride in the wake of its successful modernization program and its growing influence upon young Koreans, was not so ready to compromise. On March 28, 1894, the pro-Japanese Korean leader of the 1884 coup attempt was assassinated; the Japanese government took this as a direct affront, and the Japanese public was outraged. In June a revolt by the Tonghak (Donghak) Society broke out in southern Korea and the Chinese government, at the request of the Korean king, sent troops to aid in dispersing the rebels. The Japanese considered this a violation of the Li-Ito Convention, and they sent 8,000 troops to Korea. When the Chinese tried to reinforce their forces, the Japanese sank the troop transport (killing nearly 1,000 onboard), on July 25, 1884, further inflaming the situation.

With fighting already underway, war was formally declared on August 1, 1894. Although foreign observers predicted an easy victory for the more massive Chinese forces, the Japanese had been more successful at modernizing, and they were better equipped and prepared. Japanese troops scored quick and overwhelming victories on both land and sea. Japan achieved an impressive victory at Pyongyang on September 15th, demonstrating its superiority in weapons and organization. Then, at sea, the Japanese navy destroyed a Chinese fleet at the Battle of Yalu on September 17th. Japanese forces then advanced into Manchuria and the Liaotung Peninsula, capturing Port Arthur on November 21st. After winning the Battle of Weihaiwei in Shantung (Shandong) on February 12, 1895, the Japanese now threatened Peking. The Chinese had been outclassed, outgunned, and outmaneuvered. China sued for peace on March 30, 1895.

In the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ended the conflict, China recognized the independence of Korea and ceded Taiwan, the adjoining Pescadores, and the Liaotung Peninsula in Manchuria. China also agreed to pay a large indemnity and to give Japan trading privileges on Chinese territory comparable to those enjoyed by the European powers. However, Russia, France, and Germany intervened and prevent the cession of mainland territory, requiring Japan to return the Liaotung Peninsula to China.

Japan, the “Prussia of the Orient” was now recognized as a significant military power in East Asia. The Japanese defeat of China also encouraged the European powers to make further demands of the Chinese government. In China, the war triggered a reform movement that attempted to modernize the government; it also resulted in the beginnings of revolutionary activity against the Manchu rulers of China.

References

Clodfelter, 405-6; COW73; EB- Sino-Japanese War; Kohn, 452.

Category

Inter-State War

Region

East Asia

Belligerents

China, Japan

Dispute

Territory

Initiation Date

July 25, 1894

Termination Date

March 30, 1895

Duration

249 days

Outcome

Imposed Settlement
(Japanese victory)

Fatalities

Total: 15,000
China: 10,000
Japan: 5,000

Magnitude

4.2