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The First Opium War
This conflict began in November 1839 when Chinese warships clashed with British merchant vessels. It concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Nanking on August 29, 1842, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several ports to British trade -
American Imperialism
The U.S. began to assert its influence in Asia notably with Commodore Matthew Perry's expedition to Japan, which took place from July 8, 1853, to March 31, 1854. This expedition led to the Convention of Kanagawa on March 31, 1854, opening Japan to American trade and marking a significant moment in American imperialism -
The Second Opium War
The Second Opium War, also known as the Arrow War, started in 1856 and lasted until October 1860. It involved Britain and France against China and resulted in further concessions from China, including the legalization of the opium trade and additional territorial losses -
Japanese Expansion
Japan's imperial ambitions were marked by the First Sino-Japanese War, which began on August 1, 1894, and ended on April 17, 1895. Japan’s victory established it as a dominant power in East Asia. This was followed by Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War from February 8, 1904, to September 5, 1905, further solidifying its status as an imperial power -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War began on April 21, 1898, following U.S. intervention in Cuba's fight for independence from Spain. The war concluded on August 12, 1898, resulting in the U.S. acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of American imperialism -
Russian Imperial Ambitions
Russia's imperial ambitions culminated in its involvement in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), where it sought control over territories in East Asia, particularly Korea and Manchuria. The war highlighted Russia's expansionist policies and ended with a significant defeat for Russia