Chinese-Japanese Wars

Chinese-Japanese Wars, 2 wars between China and Japan (1894–95 and 1937–45). The first war began after both countries sent troops to quell a rebellion in Korea and ended April 17, 1895 with the Treaty of Shimonoseki granting Korea independence, but giving Japan Taiwan and the Liadong Peninsula. Weakened, China became vulnerable to increased foreign imperialism. Japan seized territory from China (1931–35) resulting in an undeclared war (1937–41). After China declared war on Japan, German, and Italy, and Japan attacked the United States and Great Britain in 1941, the war became part of World War II. When Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945 the second war ended.

See also: World War II.