Late Qing Reforms and the Sino-Japanese War

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key events and terms from the late Qing dynasty, focusing on the Wuxu Reform, the Sino-Japanese War (Jiawu War), and the subsequent Treaty of Shimonoseki.

Jingshi Daxuetang (Imperial University of Peking)

Established during the Guangxu Emperor's reforms to gather and cultivate talent, it served as the nation's highest educational institution and was later renamed Peking University.

Wuxu Reform (Hundred Days' Reform)

A major political reform effort initiated by the Guangxu Emperor in 1898 that lasted for $103$ days before being suppressed by Empress Dowager Cixi.

Wuxu Coup

A political coup launched by Empress Dowager Cixi to seize power, resulting in the imprisonment of the Guangxu Emperor and the termination of the Hundred Days' Reform.

Late Qing New Policies

A series of reforms launched by the Qing court after the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion to sustain its rule, many of which were similar to the measures proposed during the Wuxu Reform.

Meiji Restoration

The radical modernization and westernization movement in Japan beginning in 1868 that transformed the country into a rising power.

Treaty of Tientsin (1885)

An agreement between the Qing court and Japan regarding Korea, stipulating that both countries would withdraw troops and must notify each other before any future military deployment to the peninsula.

Donghak Rebellion (1894)

A religious and peasant uprising in Korea that prompted the Korean King to request military aid from the Qing, providing a pretext for Japan to also send troops.

Kowshing Incident

The sinking of a British merchant ship hired by the Qing to transport troops by the Japanese Navy in July 1894, leading to the formal declaration of the Sino-Japanese War.

Battle of the Yellow Sea

A major naval engagement during the Sino-Japanese War where the Beiyang Fleet suffered heavy losses, including the sinking of the Zhiyuan battleship and the death of Captain Deng Shichang.

Deng Shichang

The captain of the Zhiyuan battleship who died in battle during the Battle of the Yellow Sea.

Li Hongzhang

A high-ranking Qing official who led the Huai Army and served as the chief negotiator for the Treaty of Shimonoseki.

Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895)

The peace treaty signed between Li Hongzhang and Ito Hirobumi ending the Sino-Japanese War, which forced China to cede territory and pay a massive indemnity.

War Indemnity of the Treaty of Shimonoseki

The payment of $200$ million taels of silver to Japan, representing more than three years of the Qing government's total revenue at the time.

Triple Intervention

Diplomatic pressure from Russia, Germany, and France that forced Japan to return the Liaodong Peninsula to the Qing in exchange for an additional $30$ million taels.

Yangwu Movement (Self-Strengthening Movement)

A campaign centered on the goal of 'Wealth and Power' through the introduction of Western military technology and industry, which was deemed a failure following the loss of the Beiyang Fleet.

Zongli Yamen

The specialized diplomatic office established during the Yangwu Movement to manage foreign affairs and integrate the Qing into the international diplomatic system.

Modern Education System

A new curriculum introduced during the Wuxu Reform and later New Policies that included Western subjects like geography and science.