Korean Independence through Maps

Map of Korea in 1894 before Sino-Japanese War 1894-95.png

Asia Pacific 1894

The Map shows Korea under the Chinese Empire in early 1894, before the start of the Sino-Japanese war between China and Japan for control of Korea that same year.

 

Map of Korea during the Chinese Japanese war.png

Asia Pacific: After the Sino-Japanese war in 1895

Japan attacks China in Korea and wins the Sino-Japanese war in 1895 leading to the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which specifically involved the Qing Empire announcing that Korean was independent of the Chinese Empire. Korea then proclaimed itself and independent state under the name the Korean Empire, which remained the case until 1904 and was recognised by Japan, China, Russia, Britain and America.

Map of Korea in 1905 during Russo-Japanese War.png

Asia Pacific 1905: After the Russo-Japanese War

Japan quickly took over Korea in early 1904. Korea sued for Peace leading to the eventual establishment of Korea as a Japanese protectorate, with certain assurances of future independence and a fixed territory after the war was finished. (1)