HIS102Y1 Lecture Notes - Zongli Yamen, Li Hongzhang, Ryukyu Islands
Document Summary
Origins of the sino-japanese war 1894-95: opening up of korea, korea was a very important tributary state to china. Equally, the koreans were happy with their tributary status and since the mid-17th. Century had closed themselves off to countries other than china. This caused much anger in japan (which for a time seriously contemplated invading korea). In 1875 a japanese surveying team was attacked in kanghwa bay in korea and returned fire: at this point the tsungli yamen basically said it was up to korea to determine its own foreign relations. Japan now increased the pressure to open up korea, resulting in 1876 in the. Recognized korea as an independent state similar to japan. China made no protest at this treaty: following its action in korea, in 1879 japan annexed the ryuku islands. The chinese were now becoming worried by japan"s policy. Li was put in charge of korean affairs.
