Question

How does the map below represent a conflict that developed in this part of the world during the late 1800s?

a. It depicts the country of Korea, which was an area that China and Japan both argued they should have control over, resulting in the Sino-Japanese War.
b. It depicts the country of China, with a significant population that was overusing the area’s natural resources, leading to conflict with Korea and Japan.
c. It depicts the islands of Japan, which Korea attempted to gain control of in 1885, resulting in tensions with China.
d. It depicts the Pacific Ocean, which China argued it should have full trade control over, since it was the larger country.

Answer 1

The map represents Korea in the context of the Sino-Japanese War of the late 1800s, where both China and Japan claimed control over Korea, resulting in conflict and Japan's rise as an imperial power after winning the war.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to how the map represents a conflict that developed in this part of the world during the late 1800s is option (a): It depicts the country of Korea, which was an area that China and Japan both argued they should have control over, resulting in the Sino-Japanese War. The late 19th century was a time of significant change in East Asia, with power struggles between neighboring countries. China saw Korea as a traditional tributary state, while Japan viewed Korea as an area crucial for its strategic interests and resources.

In 1894, the outbreak of the Donghak Rebellion in Korea provided a pretext for China to send troops, violating the Treaty of Tientsin which required mutual notification before any military dispatch. Japan's response by sending its military led to the First Sino-Japanese War. Despite China's larger military force, Japan's modern navy led to a devastating defeat for China and culminated in the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, awarding Japan significant territories and recognizing Korea's independence.

This war set the stage for future conflicts, such as the Russo-Japanese War and the Manchurian Crisis, and the eventual rise of Japan as an imperial power in East Asia. The dynamics during this period, including the decline of the Chinese Empire and the emergence of Japan, played a vital role in the reshaping of territorial control and spheres of influence in the region.