The war was fought between Meiji Japan and Qing Dynasty China, primarily over control and influence in Korea.

It was a major test of Japan's newly modernized military against the much larger but older military of China.

The war began after a rebellion in Korea led both China and Japan to send troops into the country.

Japan's modern army and navy won a series of swift and decisive victories over the Chinese forces.

The war demonstrated the success of Japan's Meiji Restoration and the failure of China's own modernization efforts.

The conflict ended with the Treaty of Shimonoseki.

Under the treaty, China was forced to recognize the independence of Korea, cede Taiwan and the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan, and pay a large war indemnity.

However, the 'Triple Intervention' by Russia, Germany, and France forced Japan to give back the Liaodong Peninsula.

This intervention created lasting resentment in Japan, particularly towards Russia.

The war marked a major shift in the balance of power in East Asia, signaling the rise of Japan as a new imperial power.