The conflict between Qing dynasty and Empire of Japan over Korea.
In 1875, Japan compelled Korea to open up to foreign trade, particularly with Japan, and declare independence in foreign relations, sparking tensions with China over influence in Korea.
After confrontations between the Japanese and Koreans, the Ganghwa Treaty was signed, allowing Japan to trade with Korea.
King Gojong of Korea decided to establish diplomatic relations with the United States following Chinese advice, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation in Incheon on May 22, 1882.
In January 1881, the Korean government initiated administrative reforms, establishing the Office for Extraordinary State Affairs and sending a technical mission to Japan to survey modernized facilities.
On July 23, 1882, a military mutiny and riot erupted in Seoul, triggered by soldiers' resentment over food shortages, delayed pay, and corrupt distribution practices. The rioters targeted government officials, leading to chaos and destruction in the city.
Following the attack on the Japanese legation in Seoul, the Treaty of Chemulpo was signed on August 30, 1882. The agreement specified punishments for Korean conspirators, reparations to be paid to the families of slain Japanese, and permissions granted to the Japanese government to station troops at their diplomatic legation in Seoul.
In 1884, pro-Japanese reformers in Korea tried to overthrow the government, leading to Chinese intervention under Gen. Yuan Shikai, preventing a conflict with Japan and resulting in the Li-Itō Convention.
Kim Ok-gyun, a pro-Japanese Korean revolutionary, was assassinated in Shanghai by a Korean, Hong Jong-u. His body was sent back to Korea and displayed as a warning to rebels and traitors.
The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between the Empire of Japan and China from 1894 to 1895 over control and influence in Korea. It resulted in the cession of the Liaodong Peninsula and the island of Taiwan to Japan through the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
The Donghak Rebel Army started moving towards Seoul, prompting the Korean government to seek assistance from the Qing government to suppress the revolt.
The Japanese cabinet decided to send troops to Korea if China did the same, escalating tensions between the two countries.
On June 4, 1894, the Korean king requested aid from the Qing government, leading to the dispatch of Chinese troops to Korea, violating the Convention of Tientsin.
On 5 June 1894, about 1,500 Chinese troops from Tientsin landed at Asan, marking the beginning of military presence in Korea during the First Sino-Japanese War.
Approximately 2,465 Chinese soldiers were dispatched to Korea to help quell the Donghak Rebellion, leading to a dispute with Japan over the violation of the Convention of Tientsin.
The first group of around 4,000 Japanese soldiers and 500 marines landed at Chemulpo, marking the beginning of Japanese military involvement in Korea.
Chinese forces, under the command of General Ye Zhichao, arrived in Korea to suppress the Donghak Rebellion, further intensifying the situation.
A ceasefire was declared during the Donghak Rebellion, but the Japanese government instructed its forces to remain in Korea despite the rebellion's end.
Japanese foreign minister Mutsu Munemitsu meets with Qing ambassador Wang Fengzao to discuss the future status of Korea. Wang states that China intends to pull out of Korea after suppressing the rebellion.
Japanese prime minister Itō Hirobumi decides that there is probably 'no policy but to go to war' with the Qing Empire after observing their military preparations.
A reinforced brigade of approximately 8,000 troops, known as the Oshima Composite Brigade and under the command of General Ōshima Yoshimasa, was dispatched to Chemulpo by June 27.
The Japanese Combined Fleet, comprising almost all vessels in the Imperial Japanese Navy, is established. This fleet plays a crucial role in the upcoming events during the war.
On July 23, 1894, the Japanese captured Joseon King Gojong and renamed him Gwangmu Emperor to signify his independence from Chinese control.
The Battle of Pungdo occurred on July 25, 1894, near Asan, Korea, as the first naval battle of the First Sino-Japanese War between the Japanese Navy and a Chinese fleet.
Major-General Ōshima Yoshimasa led Japanese forces to engage Chinese troops near Asan Bay. The battle resulted in Japanese victory, breaking the Chinese encirclement of Seoul.
The first major land battle of the war between Japan and China in 1894. Japanese forces used infantry, cavalry, and artillery to outflank Chinese defenses, leading to the Chinese retreat to Asan.
Following the Battle of Seonghwan, Japanese forces pursued Chinese defenders to Asan on July 29, 1894. The Japanese achieved a decisive victory with minimal casualties.
The First Sino-Japanese War began on August 1, 1894, and lasted until April 17, 1895. It was a conflict between China and Japan over control of Korea and influence in East Asia.
The defeat of the Beiyang fleet occurred on September 14, 1894, during the First Sino-Japanese War. The Chinese Beiyang fleet, under Admiral Ding, faced off against the Japanese Combined Fleet but was outmaneuvered and forced to retreat. This defeat further weakened Chinese military presence in the region.
The Battle of Pyongyang took place on September 15, 1894, during the First Sino-Japanese War. The Imperial Japanese Army attacked the city of Pyongyang, leading to fierce fighting and the defeat of the Chinese forces. This battle marked a significant turning point in the war.
The naval battle between the Japanese Combined Fleet and the Chinese Beiyang Fleet near the mouth of the Yalu River. The Japanese victory was attributed to their superior speed and firepower, leading to the destruction of eight of the ten Chinese warships.
The Japanese First Army, under Field Marshal Aritomo Yamagata, successfully crossed the Yalu River using a pontoon bridge. This strategic move allowed them to advance towards Jiuliancheng and other key locations in Manchuria.
In the First Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese successfully passed Chinese ports along the Yalu River and attacked Chinese barriers from the enemies' side, forcing the Chinese to retreat on the morning of December 25th.
Japanese forces captured Hushan, a key location north of Jiuliancheng, as part of their strategic advance in Manchuria. This victory set the stage for further Japanese successes in the region.
Japanese forces, angered by the display of a mutilated Japanese soldier's head, proceeded to kill civilians in Port Arthur, with unconfirmed estimates of casualties in the thousands. The event was initially viewed with skepticism, as it was believed to be Chinese propaganda to discredit Japanese hegemony.
The Japanese 1st Army Corps captured Kaipeng (present-day Gaizhou) on December 10, 1894, during the First Sino-Japanese War.
The first land battle of the First Sino-Japanese War took place at Pyongyang on December 16, 1894. The Chinese troops, numbering 14,000, faced off against the Japanese army of 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers. Despite being divided into 4 separate armies, the Chinese were defeated by the Japanese, with 7,000 Chinese soldiers losing their lives.
After a 23-day siege, the Japanese successfully captured Weihaiwei on February 12, 1895, by outflanking the harbor's defenses and coordinating ground and naval forces.
In early 1895, the Chinese attacked the Japanese at Hai-ch'eng, but failed. Subsequently, the Japanese secured victories leading to the fall of Niuzhuang and Liaoyang by March 4th. This marked the effective end of fighting in Manchuria.
The Battle of Yingkou took place on March 5, 1895, outside the port town of Yingkou, Manchuria, during the First Sino-Japanese War.
On March 23, Japanese warships started bombarding Chinese positions around Lizhangjiao port, leading to the capture of the area by Japanese troops. The Chinese forces offered token resistance but eventually retreated to Xiyu Island.
By March 26, all islands in the archipelago, including Taiwan, were under Japanese control. Rear Admiral Tanaka Tsunatsune was appointed governor. This operation prevented Chinese forces in Taiwan from being reinforced.
The Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed on April 17, 1895, where the Qing Empire ceded territories to Japan, marking the end of the First Sino-Japanese War.
On April 17, 1895, the Chinese government sought peace and signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan. The treaty granted Japan territories including the Pescadores, Formosa, Port Arthur, and the Liaodong Peninsula.
The Triple Intervention of 23 April 1895 involved Russia, Germany, and France pressuring Japan to relinquish the Liaodong Peninsula (Port Arthur) in exchange for an increased financial indemnity.
Several Qing officials in Taiwan declared the island to be an independent Republic of Formosa in response to the cession of Taiwan to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
Japanese army occupied Keelung on 5 June and entered Taipei on the following day. The Office of the Governor-General was established in Taipei, marking the beginning of Japanese rule in Taiwan.
Japanese forces defeated the Republican forces in Taiwan, leading to the surrender of the Republican capital Tainan and the flight of the second Republican president, Liu Yongfu.