Sino-Japanese War
By the 1800s, Japan, too, had encountered Western intrusion. Unlike the Qing Empire, Japan had successfully fostered Westernization and industrialization through Meiji Restoration. The Qing Empire, on the other hand, had promoted military reforms known as Self Strengthening Movement.
Interview with Richard Baum, comparing the success of the Meiji Restoration and the failure of
the Self-Strengthening Movement, excerpt from the documentary, "China's Century of Humiliation".
the Self-Strengthening Movement, excerpt from the documentary, "China's Century of Humiliation".
In 1894, the two major powers of Asia, engaged in a war following clashes between pro-Japanese and pro-Sino factions in Korea. China, once again was defeated as its Beiyang Fleet and land forces were crushed by the Japanese forces.
In 1895, the war ended with signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseky.
"Article 1. China recognizes definitively the full and complete independence and autonomy of Korea...Article 2. China cedes to Japan in perpetuity and full sovereignty the following territories, together with all fortifications, arsenals, and public property thereon...Article 4. China agrees to pay to Japan as a war indemnity the sum of 200,000,000 Kuping [Gubing] taels; the said sum to be paid in eight installments...Article 8. As a guarantee of the faithful performance of the stipulations of this Act, China consents to the temporary occupation by the military forces of Japan of Weihaiwei, in the province of Shantung...Article 10. All offensive military operations shall cease upon the exchange of the ratifications of this Act."-Treaty of Shimonseky, Source: USC US-China Institute
The defeat ushered in huge cultural shock and unspeakable humiliation to the Qing Empire. The vast, powerful empire was now incompatible even with the "home of pirate dwarves".
Japanese cartoon depict the weakness of Chinese
military forces, |
"Compare to Japan! The most gulling comparison of all. Many Chinese would compare themselves only reluctantly with Japan. Really an insulting thought! The home of pirate dwarves, the place whose entire civilization was, by Chinese perspective, a pale imitation of Chinese civilization. Imported and preserved in an artificial way. But, the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 and 1895 showed a rather different relationship of power"-William Kirby |