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Case study 1: Japanese Expansion In East Asia 1931-41 (The Global War)

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Chart Increasing

Case Study 2: German & Italian Expansion 1933-40 (The Global War)

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Handshake

Part 1 - Rivalry, Mistrust & Accord (The Cold War)

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Medal

Part 2 - Leaders & Nations (The Cold War)

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Radioactive

Part 3 - Cold War Crises (The Cold War)

<ul>
	<li>Japan and China have a long history dating back to 500&ndash;600 CE, when Chinese writing and culture spread to Japan via Korea.</li>
	<li>In the 19th century, China was weakened due to its defeat in the Opium Wars with Britain and by signing &#39;unequal treaties&#39; with European powers.</li>
	<li>Japan was entering a militaristic era, aiming to establish control over the Korean peninsula, which lay between Japan and China.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Korea, a tributary state to China (Korean emperor paid homage to the Chinese emperor), was strategically important for Japan.</li>
	<li>In 1894, an uprising in Korea prompted Korea to ask China for assistance. Japan sent troops before the Chinese army arrived, leading to conflict.</li>
	<li>Historian Ian Buruma argues that the conflict centered on which army had modernized more effectively, influencing dominance in East Asia.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Japan proved its dominance by pushing the Chinese back across the Yalu River, the border between Korea and China, and securing victory in the Yellow Sea.</li>
	<li>The Treaty of Shimonoseki recognized Korean independence and ceded Formosa (Taiwan), the Liaodong Peninsula, and the Pescadores Islands to Japan. China also granted commercial and trading rights to Japan.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Victory was seen as confirmation of Japan&#39;s superiority over China, cementing its status as a &#39;higher civilization&#39;.</li>
	<li>According to Buruma, this victory marked a new epoch in Japanese history, confirming the popular belief that Japan was equal to Western powers and lived up to the Meiji slogan &#39;Rich Country, Strong Army&#39; (Buruma, Inventing Japan 1853&ndash;1964, 2004, pp. 50&ndash;51).</li>
	<li>However, victory led to tensions with Russia, which also wanted control over Korea and the Liaodong Peninsula. Under pressure from Britain, France, and the US, Japan relinquished the Liaodong Peninsula, leading many Japanese nationalists to feel that Japan was still regarded as inferior to Western powers despite its military prowess.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Tributary State: A state that acknowledges the supremacy of another state by paying tribute, often in the form of goods, currency, or ceremonial gestures. For example, Korea was a tributary state to China, which meant the emperor of Korea paid homage to the emperor of China.</li>
	<li>Opium Wars: Two military conflicts between China and Britain in the mid-19th century, which led to China&#39;s defeat and the signing of unequal treaties that favored Western powers. This weakened China&#39;s international standing.</li>
	<li>Unequal Treaties: Agreements that disproportionately favor one party over another. In this case, China signed treaties with European powers that were biased against China.</li>
	<li>Meiji Slogan &#39;Rich Country, Strong Army&#39;: This slogan reflects the goals of the Meiji Restoration, a period of modernization and Westernization in Japan. It emphasized building a prosperous economy and a powerful military.</li>
</ul>

Case study 1: Japanese Expansion In East Asia 1931-41 (The Global War)

Unlocking 1894: Sino-Japanese War Secrets

Historical context

Table of content

Conflict with china

Outcomes of the war

Unlock the Full Content!

Case study 1: Japanese Expansion In East Asia 1931-41 (The Global War)

Unlocking 1894: Sino-Japanese War Secrets

Historical context

Table of content

Conflict with china

Outcomes of the war

Unlock the Full Content!