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First Sino-Japanese War

On August 1st, 1894 Japan declared war upon her ancient tutor (China) and surprised the world with the speed of her victory. In doing so, Japan exacted from China the acknowledgment of Korea's independence, the cession of Formosa and Port Arthur, and indemnity of 200 million taels. With it, Japan set in motion the dispute that would end in the Russo-Japanese War ten years later.

Source: Durant, Will, The Story of Civilization, Vol. 1: Our Oriental Heritage New York: Simon & Schuster, 1954.

Japanese before the office of Beiyang Fleet after taking Lüshun
Japanese before the office of Beiyang Fleet after taking Lüshun
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Full disclosure, I may occasionally borrow a sentence from Will Durant's Story of Civilization. I absolutely love that collection!