The Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars and Asian Nationalist Movements

At the beginning of the 20th century, Japan became the only Asian power to successfully modernize and join the ranks of the great powers. Japan’s victories energized nationalist movements throughout Asia.

Basic Knowledge

In the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95, Japan defeated the Qing (gaining Taiwan, the Liaodong Peninsula, and an indemnity through the Treaty of Shimonoseki, although it returned the Liaodong Peninsula because of the Triple Intervention) and joined the great powers as Asia’s first modern nation. In the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05, Japan defeated the major power Russia (through the Treaty of Portsmouth, mediated by the United States), greatly influencing Asia and Africa. In 1905, a constitutional revolution occurred in Persia (Iran); in 1908, the Young Turk Revolution brought constitutional government to the Ottoman Empire; and in 1911, the 1911 Revolution took place in China. Japan’s victory gave nationalists in many regions the confidence that “Asia can do it too.” Indian independence leader Nehru later recalled the excitement of this period.

Further Study (Background and Effects)

On October 10, 1911, a new army unit rose in Wuchang, Hubei Province, and the 1911 Revolution began. Sun Yat-sen was the theoretical leader of the revolution and advocated the Three Principles of the People (nationalism・democracy・people’s livelihood). On January 1, 1912, the Republic of China was established in Nanjing, and Sun Yat-sen became provisional president. However, through a deal with Yuan Shikai (a Qing Beiyang warlord), Yuan became president in exchange for the abdication of the Qing’s Xuantong Emperor, Puyi (February 12, the end of the Qing dynasty). After Yuan’s death in 1916, China entered a chaotic era of warlord rivalry. On May 4, 1919, the May Fourth Movement broke out, beginning with students at Peking University who opposed the transfer of Germany’s rights in the Shandong Peninsula to Japan under the Treaty of Versailles. On March 1 of the same year, the March 1st Movement (declaration of independence and demonstrations) also occurred in Korea. It was a year in which national consciousness in Asia rose rapidly.

Points of Caution (Easily Confused)

① Distinguish Sun Yat-sen (father of the Republic of China・Three Principles of the People・died in 1925), Yuan Shikai (Beiyang warlord・failed attempt to restore imperial rule・died in 1916), Chiang Kai-shek (Kuomintang・successor), and Mao Zedong (Communist Party). ② The March 1st Movement (1919/3/1・Korea) and the May Fourth Movement (1919/5/4・China) both occurred in 1919. ③ The term “Xinhai” in the 1911 Revolution refers to the sexagenary cycle (1911). ④ The Three Principles of the People＝nationalism・democracy・people’s livelihood, and are different from liberty・equality・fraternity (the French Revolution).

Practice

1. Where did the uprising of October 10, 1911, which began the 1911 Revolution, take place?
2. Who was the first provisional president of the Republic of China established in 1912?
3. What was the name of the movement that arose in Korea in 1919 demanding independence?