One

How did the Sino Japanese Wars lead to Japan’s current more powerful state?

  • Background

    Background

    Korea was located opposite of Japan. Its coal and iron resources made Korea attractive to Japan. They didn’t care how long Korea had been doing business with China, they still pursued them (Sino-Japanese War). Unlike China, Japan had westernized since the Industrial Revolution and had become a great power that was capable of defending itself against other countries (Sino-Japanese War, 1894–1895). While Japan had modernized quickly, China still considered Korea to be a vassal state (Dobbs).
  • Korean independence from China

    Korean independence from China

    Japan forced Korea to declare its independence from China and to open itself to international trade, especially with Japan (Sino-Japanese War).
  • Attempted Overthrow of the Korean government

    Attempted Overthrow of the Korean government

    Pro-Japanese reformers attempted to overthrow the Korean government, but Yuan Shikai, a Chinese General, rescued the king. In the process, Shikai also killed several Japanese guards (Sino-Japanese War).
  • War was avoided

    War was avoided

    War was avoided for the time between Japan and China after they signed the Li-Ito Convention. In this document, both countries agreed to withdraw their troops from Korea (Sino-Japanese War).
  • China had a huge influence on Korea

    China had a huge influence on Korea

    China had a huge influence on Korea in the 1890’s (Japan 132).
  • Tension between Japan and China

    Tension between Japan and China

    There was a lot of tension because both countries wanted control/occupancy of Korea (Sino-Japanese War). Japan was more radical, while China was more conservative (Sino-Japanese War).
  • The first war begins

    The first war begins

    There was a rebellion in Korea, and the Korean government asked for China to help them out. Japan got offended and considered this a breach of their treaty, so they sent 8,000 troops to Korea (Sino-Japanese War). The Japanese navy also sank a Chinese troop transport. These factors led to war being declared on the first of August in 1894 (Dobbs).
  • Japan attacks Shandong province and Manchuria

    Japan attacks Shandong province and Manchuria

    By the date of March 1895, Japan had attacked Shandong province and Manchuria. (Sino-Japanese War).
  • Japan and China signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki

    Japan and China signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki

    In 1895, the Treaty of Shimonoseki ended the war .(Sino-Japanese War).
  • Japan returns Liaodong

    Japan returns Liaodong

    Russia, France, and Germany helped Russia and they forced Japan to return Liaodong (Dobbs).
  • Japan signs treaty for benefits

    Japan signs treaty for benefits

    In 1896, Japan signs a treaty for tax exemptions and other trade privileges (Japan 132.)
  • Causes of the Second Sino-Japanese war

    Causes of the Second Sino-Japanese war

    Growing opposition to the Chinese policy of self-strengthening led to counterattacking which began in North China and Manchuria and the kidnapping of Chiang Kai-shek at Xi'an (First).
  • Agreeing to terms

    Agreeing to terms

    Chiang was forced to agree to Japanese terms for his release (First).
  • The war has begun

    The war has begun

    Full war commenced. The Japanese strategy was aimed at taking the cities, the roads, and the railroads (Sino).
  • Marco Polo Bridge

    Marco Polo Bridge

    Japanese attacked the Chinese at Marco Polo bridge (First).
  • Refused Negotiations

    Refused Negotiations

    Chiang Kai-shek refused to negotiations with Japan and placed troops outside the Japanese settlement at Shanghai (Sino).
  • Shanghai is taken

    Shanghai is taken

    Shanghai falls to the Japanese forces (First).
  • Japanese take more cities

    Japanese take more cities

    Hankou and Guangzhou were taken (Sino).
  • Guerrila Fighting

    Guerrila Fighting

    The Japanese swept over the eastern coastal area and guerrilla fighting started (Sino).
  • Chinese Supplies

    Chinese Supplies

    Chinese supplies were insufficient. They could not sustain their power (Sino).
  • Japanese Army During the Sino- Japanese war

    Japanese Army During the Sino- Japanese war

    The Japanese nearly surrendered. Most soldiers died through starvation or being held hostage (Sino- Japanese Controversy).
  • Pearl Harbor Attack

    Pearl Harbor Attack

    The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. This resulted in the American entry in World War II (American).
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Franklin D. Roosevelt signs contract declaring war against Japan (American).
  • Germany and Italy declare war

    Germany and Italy declare war

    Germany and Italy declare war on the United States (Sino- Japanese Controversy).
  • Japanese Surrender

    Japanese Surrender

    World War II casualties caused the Japanese to surrender. Ending the Sino- Japanese War and WWII (Japanese Immigrant Nationalsim).
  • Conclusion

    Conclusion

    The Sino-Japanese War helped modernize Japan. China still abided by old customs, unlike Japan.