The First Sino-Japanese War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The First Sino-Japanese War - Essay Example The war proceeded for five years with the Japanese troops and navy triumphant over their Chinese adversaries until the capture of Weihaiwei after which the Chinese called for a ceasefire and peace in February 1895. Through the war, it could be seen that the Qing Dynasty had become a spent force after fighting in the Opium Wars in the nineteenth century. However, Japan under the Meijin Restoration had reformed considerably for the better and after the war; it exerted its superiority in all over East Asia to the detriment of the Self-Strengthening of the Qing Dynasty in China. The triumph of Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War can be attributed to its modern fleets as well as superior war tactics made possible through strategy, foresight and proper organization. The Chinese had an ineffective regime led by the inefficient and corrupt Qing Dynasty, which led to its defeat in the war. Japan, therefore, managed to reduce the influence of the Chinese in Korea with prosperity registered after the overthrow of the Korean king and a friendly Japanese government. Through this, the trade by Japan flourished thus making its economy to grow in bounds. However, the divisions created in Korea would later lead to the splitting of Korea into North and South Korea, each with an attachment to either Japan or China. The pro-Chinese Conservatives congregated around China forming North Korea while the pro-Japanese formed South Korea that leans towards Japan.