Why did the Sino-Japanese War occur?

The Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict between the Empire of Japan and the Qing Dynasty of China that occurred from 1894 to 1895. There were several underlying causes of the war, including territorial disputes, competition for influence in Korea, and conflicting imperialist ambitions. Japan was eager to assert its dominance in the region and sought to expand its territory, while China was in a period of decline and sought to maintain its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

One of the main triggers of the war was the dispute over control of Korea, which had been a Chinese protectorate for centuries. Japan saw Korea as a strategic foothold in its quest for regional dominance and sought to expand its influence over the country. In addition, the two sides had conflicting territorial claims in Taiwan and the Liaodong Peninsula.

Another cause of the war was the growing power of imperialist nations in the region, particularly Britain, France, Russia, and Germany, who had established treaty ports in China and exerted significant influence over the country. Japan sought to challenge this influence and establish itself as a major imperial power in the region.

Ultimately, the Sino-Japanese War was a result of the complex political and economic factors that shaped the relationship between Japan and China in the late 19th century. It had significant consequences for both countries, with Japan emerging as a major imperial power and China continuing to struggle with its internal and external challenges.