The Shunpanrō hall where the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed

The Treaty of Shimonoseki (Japanese: 下関条約, "Shimonoseki Jōyaku"), known as the Treaty of Maguan (T. Chinese: 馬關條約, S. Chinese: 马关条约;) in China, was signed at the Shunpanrō hall on April 17, 1895 between the Empire of Japan and the Qing Empire. The peace conference took place from March 20 to April 17, 1895. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Shimonoseki (下関市; -shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi, Japan. ... Shimonoseki (下関市; -shi) is a city located in Yamaguchi, Japan. ... Traditional Chinese characters are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Simplified Chinese characters (Simplified Chinese: 简体字; Traditional Chinese: 簡體字; pinyin: jiÇŽntǐzì; also called 简化字/簡化字, jiÇŽnhuàzì) are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... April 17 is the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (108th in leap years). ... 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Flag of Imperial Japan The Empire of Japan (大日本帝国; Dai-Nippon/-Nihon Teikoku) commonly refers to Japan from the Meiji Restoration until the end of World War II. Politically, it covers the period from the enforced establishment of prefectures in place of feudal domains (廃藩置県; Hai-han Chi-ken) in July 14... The Qing Dynasty (Manchu: daicing gurun; Chinese: 清朝; pinyin: qÄ«ng cháo; Wade-Giles: ching chao), sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China expanded into China proper and the surrounding territories of Inner Asia, establishing... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in Leap years). ... April 17 is the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (108th in leap years). ... 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The Treaty Terms

The Treaty ended the First Sino-Japanese War (aka. (mainly British Histories) "Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)") in favour of Japan, the clear victor. In the treaty China recognized the independence of Korea and renounced any claims to that country. It also ceded the Liaodong peninsula (Then known to the Western Press as Liaotung — the southern portion of Fengtian, now part of modern Liaoning province), the islands of Taiwan (Formosa) and the Pescadores to Japan. China also paid Japan a war indemnity of 200 million Kuping taels, and opened various ports and rivers to international entry and trade. Japan and Qing China fought the First Sino–Japanese War (or the Qing-Japanese War or Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895)), primarily over control of Korea. ... A treaty is a binding agreement under international law concluded by subjects of international law, namely states and international organizations. ... Korea (한국/韓國/Hanguk, used by South / ì¡°ì„ /朝鮮/Joseon, used by North) is a formerly unified country, situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordering on China to the northwest and Russia to the north. ... The Liaodong Peninsula (sim. ... Fengtian (奉天 Pinyin: Fèngtiān) is: Old name for Liaoning Province, China Old name for Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Liaoning (Simplified Chinese: 辽宁; Traditional Chinese: 遼寧; pinyin: ) is a northeastern province of the Peoples Republic of China. ... For other province-level divisions, see Political divisions of China. ... The Pescadores Islands (Chinese: 澎湖群島; Wade-Giles: Peng-hu; Pinyin: Pénghú; Taiwanese POJ: Phêⁿ-ô·-kōan, from Portuguese, fishermen) are an archipelago in the Taiwan Strait. ... The tael (兩), PY: Liang, was part of the Chinese system of weights and currency. ...

Shunpanrou interior

The interior of the Shunpanrou hall in Shimonoseki where the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed on April 17, 1895. ... The interior of the Shunpanrou hall in Shimonoseki where the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed on April 17, 1895. ...

The Signatories and Diplomats

The treaty was drafted with John A. Foster, former American Secretary of State, advising the Qing Dynasty. It was signed by Count Ito Hirobumi and Viscount Mutsu Munemitsu for the Emperor of Japan and Li Hung-Chang and Li Ching-Fong on behalf of the Emperor of China. Before the treaty was signed, Li Hung-chang was attacked by a right-wing Japanese extremist on March 24: he was fired at and wounded on his way back to his lodgings at Injoji temple. The public outcry aroused by the assassination attempt caused the Japanese to temper their demands and agree to a temporary armistice. The conference was temporarily adjourned and resumed on April 10. Categories: People stubs | 1836 births | 1917 deaths | U.S. Army generals | U.S. Secretaries of State ... Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi, Prince Itō Hirobumi (伊藤 博文 Itō Hirobumi 1841–1909, also called Hirofumi/Hakubun) was a Japanese politician and the countrys first Prime Minister (and the 5th, 7th and 10th). ... Categories: Stub | 1844 births | 1897 deaths | Japanese politicians ... His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan The Emperor of Japan (天皇 tennō) is a constitutionally-recognized symbol of the Japanese nation and the unity of its people. ... Li Hongzhang (Chinese: 李鴻章; pinyin: Lǐ Hóngzhāng, Wade-Giles: Li Hung-chang) (February 15, 1823 - November 7, 1901) was a general who ended several major rebellions, and a leading statesman of the late Chinese Qing Empire. ... Li Ching-Fong (李經方) is the son of Li Hung-Chang. ... The emperor or huangdi (皇帝 in pinyin: huang2 di4) of China was the head of government and head of state of China from the Qin dynasty in 221 B.C. until the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. ... March 24 is the 83rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (84th in Leap years). ... April 10 is the 100th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (101st in leap years). ...

Ito Hirobumi and Mutsu Munemitsu

Ito Hirobumi (left) and Mutsu Munemitsu (right) - statues outside the Shunpanrou, Shimonoseki where they signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki on behalf of Japan on April 17, 1895. ... Ito Hirobumi (left) and Mutsu Munemitsu (right) - statues outside the Shunpanrou, Shimonoseki where they signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki on behalf of Japan on April 17, 1895. ... Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi, Prince Itō Hirobumi (伊藤 博文 Itō Hirobumi 1841–1909, also called Hirofumi/Hakubun) was a Japanese politician and the countrys first Prime Minister (and the 5th, 7th and 10th). ... Categories: Stub | 1844 births | 1897 deaths | Japanese politicians ...

Entry of The Imperialist Powers

The conditions imposed by Japan on China led to the Triple Intervention of Russia, France, and Germany, Imperial powers all active in China, with established enclaves and ports, just three days after its signing. They demanded that Japan withdraw its claim on the Liaodong peninsula, concerned that Lüshun, then called Port Arthur by Westerners, would fall under Japanese control. Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (a de jure ally of France) and his imperial advisors, including his cousin-advisor-friend-rival Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, had designs on Port Arthur, which could serve as Russia's long sought after 'ice-free' port. After the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed between Japan and China on April 17, 1895 to conclude the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) three European Powers (Russia, Germany and France) intervened on April 23 with so-called friendly advice to Japan to retrocede the Liaotung peninsula including Lushun (Port... See power Powers, a comic book series by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Avon Oeming (Super) powers, special abilities of super-humans, aliens, etc. ... The Liaodong Peninsula (sim. ... Location within China Lüshun city or Lüshunkou or (literally) Lüshun Port (Simplified Chinese: 旅顺口; Traditional Chinese: 旅順口; pinyin: , formerly in historic references both Port Arthur and Ryojun)), is a town in the southernmost administrative district of Dalian of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Port Arthur is the name of some places: Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia Old Western name for Lushun, China Port Arthur, Texas, United States of America Port Arthur, Ontario, a city in Ontario, Canada, became part of Thunder Bay in 1970. ... Tsar (Bulgarian цар, Russian царь,   listen?; often spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English), was the title used for the autocratic rulers of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires since 913, in Serbia in the middle of the 14th century, and in Russia from 1547 to 1917 (although... Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia Nicholas II of Russia ( 18 May 1868 – 17 July 1918) was the last crowned Emperor of Russia. ... Look up De jure in Wiktionary, the free dictionary De jure (in Classical Latin de iure) is an expression that means based on law, as contrasted with de facto, which means in fact. The terms de jure and de facto are used like in principle and in practice when one... Kaiser is a German title meaning emperor, derived from the Roman title of Caesar, as is the Slavic title of Czar. ... Wilhelm II of Germany (born Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Preußen 27 January 1859–4 June 1941), was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and the last King (König) of Prussia, ruling from 1888 to 1918. ... Port Arthur is the name of some places: Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia Old Western name for Lushun, China Port Arthur, Texas, United States of America Port Arthur, Ontario, a city in Ontario, Canada, became part of Thunder Bay in 1970. ...

The Aftermath

Under threat of war from the Western nations, in November 1895, Japan ceded control of the territory and withdrew its de jure claim on the Liaotung peninsula in return for an increased war indemnity from China. The European powers were not concerned with any of the other conditions, or the free hand Japan had been granted in Korea under the other terms of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Within months after Japan re-ceded the Liaodong peninsula, Russian construction on the peninsula and a railway to Harbin from Port Arthur commenced, despite a protesting China. Eventually, Russia agreed to offer a diplomatic solution (See Kwantung Leased Territory) to the Chinese Empire, and agreed to a lease to save face, instead of annexing Manchuria outright, its de facto effect. Within two years, Germany, France, and Great Britain had similarly taken advantage of the economic and political opportunities in this area, and Japan took note. The Liaodong Peninsula (sim. ... Lüshunkou (旅顺口), or Lüshun Port, is a southernmost district of Dalian City of the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Kwantung Leased Territory (Chinese: 关东州, Guandongzhou, Japanese: 関東州; Kantoushu) was a composite territory in historic Eastern Manchuria that existed in the first half of the 20th century, from 1898 through 1945. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without...

This new blatant exploitation of weak nations following immediately after her humiliation at the hands of the European powers is regarded by many Japanese historians as being a crucial historic turning point in Japanese foreign affairs - from this point on, the nationalist, expansionist, and militant elements began to join ranks and steer Japan from a foreign policy based mainly on economic hegemony toward outright imperialism — a case of the coerced turning increasingly to coercion. In time the once peaceful and mercantile Japan would become transformed by its mimicking of the Western powers.

The Shunpanrō in 2004

The front of the Shunpanrou hall where the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed in 1895. ... The front of the Shunpanrou hall where the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed in 1895. ...

An Uneasy Prelude to War

Russia wasted little time after the Triple Intervention to move men and materials down into the Liaodong to start building a railroad from both ends — Port Arthur and Harbin, as she already had railway construction in progress across northern Inner Manchuria to shorten the rail route to her sole Pacific Ocean naval base at Sakhalin Island, a port closed by ice four months of each year. She also improved the port facilities at Port Arthur and founded the commercial port town at Dalny (Dalian), before inking the Lease of the territory. Sakhalin (Russian: Сахалин), also Saghalien, 库页岛 (Ku Ye Dao, Chinese), or Karafuto (Japanese: 樺太) is a large elongated island in the North Pacific, lying between 45° 50 and 54° 24 N, in East Siberia, Russia. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Kwantung Leased Territory (Chinese: 关东州, Guandongzhou, Japanese: 関東州; Kantoushu) was a composite territory in historic Eastern Manchuria that existed in the first half of the 20th century, from 1898 through 1945. ...

When the de facto governance of Port Arthur and the Liaodong was granted de jure to Russia by China along with an increase in other rights she had obtained in Manchuria (especially those in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces) the construction of the 550 mile Southern spurline of Manchurian Railway was redoubled, and Russia finally seemed to have gotten what the Russian Empire had been wanting in her quest to become a global power since the reign of Peter the Great, the ice-free natural harbor of Port Arthur/Lüshun which would serve to make her a great power on the seas as well as the largest land power. She needed a ice-free port to achieve this, and she was tired of being balked by the Balance of Power politics in Europe wherein the Ottoman Empire and its allies had repeatedly frustrated its fruition. Jilin (Chinese: 吉林; pinyin: Jílín; Wade-Giles: Chi-lin; Postal System Pinyin: Kirin), is a province of the Peoples Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. ... Heilongjiang (Simplified Chinese: 黑龙江省; Traditional Chinese: 黑龍江省; pinyin: Hēilóngjiāng; Postal System Pinyin: Heilungkiang) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. ... The Manchurian Railway was a single tracked line extending (and shortening) the famous worlds longest railroad, the Trans-Siberian Railway from the Siberian city of Chita via Harbin across northern inner Manchuria to the Russian port of Vladivostok. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... Peter I Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia Peter I (Pyotr Alekseyvich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death. ... Balance of power is a central concept of realist theories of international relations. ...

However, the omission of the geopolitical reality in ignoring the free hand Japan had been granted by the Treaty (of Shimonoseki) with respect to Korea and Japan was short-sighted of Russia with respect to her strategic goals; to get to and maintain a strong point in Port Arthur they would have to dominate and control many additional hundreds of miles of Eastern Manchuria (the Fengtian province of Imperial China, modern Jilin and Heilongjiang) up to Harbin: the lands paralleling the whole Korean border that Japan had long considered part of its strategic Sphere of Influence. By leasing Liaodong and railway concessions, Russia crashed its Sphere of Influence squarely into Japan's. Fengtian (奉天 Pinyin: Fèngtiān) is: Old name for Liaoning Province, China Old name for Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article is about political regions. ... Jilin (Chinese: 吉林; pinyin: Jílín; Wade-Giles: Chi-lin; Postal System Pinyin: Kirin), is a province of the Peoples Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. ... Heilongjiang (Simplified Chinese: 黑龙江省; Traditional Chinese: 黑龍江省; pinyin: Hēilóngjiāng; Postal System Pinyin: Heilungkiang) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. ... Harbin (Simplified Chinese: 哈尔滨; Traditional Chinese: 哈爾濱; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ha-erh-pin; Russian Харби́н Kharbin) is a sub-provincial city and the capital of the Heilongjiang Province in north-east China. ... A sphere of influence is a metaphorical region of political influences surrounding a country or a region of economic influence around an urban area. ...

This acted as a further goad to emerging Japanese anger at their disrespectful treatment by all the West. In the immediate fallout of the Triple Intervention Japanese popular resentment at Russia's deviousness and the perceived weakness of their own government caving in to foreign pressure led to riots in Tokyo which almost brought down the government, a strengthening of imperial and expansionist factions within Japan, and brought about the ensuing struggle with Russia for dominance in Korea and Manchuria leading eventually to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 by a renewed and modernized Japanese military. Greater Manchuria, Russian (outer) Manchuria is region to upper right in lighter Red; Liaodong Peninsula is the wedge extending into the Yellow Sea The Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) was an extremely bloody conflict that grew out of the rival imperialist ambitions of Russia and Japan in Manchuria and Korea. ... 1904 is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

References

• F.R. Sedwick, (R.F.A.), The Russo-Japanese War, 1909, The Macmillan Company, N.Y.
• Colliers (Ed.), The Russo-Japanese War, 1904, P.F. Collier & Son, New York
• Dennis and Peggy Warner, The Tide At Sunrise, 1974, Charterhouse, New York
• William Henry Chamberlain, Japan Over Asia, 1937, Little, Brown, and Company, Boston
• Pei-Kai Cehng and Michael Lestz (Eds.) The Search for Modern China: A Documentary Collection, 1999, W. W. Norton & Company, New York.

1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1904 is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... 1937 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday Anno Domini (or the Current Era), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

See also

• Unequal Treaties
• Triple Intervention
• Kwantung Leased Territory
• Manchurian Railway
• South Manchurian Railway

The Unequal Treaties (lit. ... After the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed between Japan and China on April 17, 1895 to conclude the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) three European Powers (Russia, Germany and France) intervened on April 23 with so-called friendly advice to Japan to retrocede the Liaotung peninsula including Lushun (Port... The Kwantung Leased Territory (Chinese: 关东州, Guandongzhou, Japanese: 関東州; Kantoushu) was a composite territory in historic Eastern Manchuria that existed in the first half of the 20th century, from 1898 through 1945. ... The Manchurian Railway was a single tracked line extending (and shortening) the famous worlds longest railroad, the Trans-Siberian Railway from the Siberian city of Chita via Harbin across northern inner Manchuria to the Russian port of Vladivostok. ... The South Manchuria Railway Company (Japanese: 満鉄）; Mantetsu) was a company founded by Japan in 1906, after the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), and operated in Japanese-occupied Manchuria. ...

External link

• Text of the treaty

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Treaty of Shimonoseki