Anglo-Japanese War (Two Chinas) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Tokugawa Shotgunate
Empire of the Great Ming and various domains of the Tokugawa supported by the Empire of France (weapons) | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Company Raj |
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Tokugawa Ienari
Matsudaira Katahiro Uesugi Harunori Uesugi Haruhito numerous Ming generals and numerous Daiymo | Duke of Wellington
James Gambier Robert Calder William Beresford Sir Richard Strachan George Harris David Baird and numerous officers |
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Strength | |||||||
Tokugawa Shogunate: ~750,000
Domains of Tokugawa: ~200,000 Ming Empire: ~120,000 Total: ~1,070,000 | Great Britain: ~800,000
Company Raj: ~300,000 Total: ~1,100,000 |
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
Tokugawa: ~256,000
Domains: ~134,000 Ming Empire: ~72,000 | Great Britain: ~677,000
Company Raj: ~249,000 |
The Anglo-Japanese War was an armed conflict between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan.
Causes of War[]
A largely debated topic by historians and politicians alike, there were many different theories on how the Anglo-Japanese War began and why the British Empire declared war on the Tokugawa.
Japanese Restriction of Western Trade[]
One of the major theories include the fact that the Tokugawa Shogunate and its domains were extremely conceited in their nation that "[The Samurai] did not want western powers to "pollute" the honor and culture of its people." according to a British officer who had served in the most brutal campaign of the war, the Musashi Campaign, Others say that the Tokugawa Shogunate was nervous with the issue of western powers that they decided to close the trade with the west due to "safety concerns".
Bloodthirsty Britain Theory[]
A popular theory among Japanese, American, and French historians. This theory claims that due to Britain's reputation as a colonizer that they just wanted the land just for the sake of it. British historians largely disagree and are quite offended by this notion.
French Relations[]
This theory claims that the British, at odds with French, declared war simply because of Japanese friendly relations with France.
British-Ming Conflict[]
The most popular theory, the cause of war was due to the concurrent British-Ming Conflict over the island of Formosa and Hong Kong. When the British captured Formosa they drove the Ming off. Later, the Ming requested help from the Tokugawa in exchange for the the island of Formosa and Manchuria. The Japanese quickly accepted, forcing the British to declare war.
Declaration of War[]
On 11 June 1812, the British Empire declares war on the Tokugawa Shogunate and its domains. One 13 June 1812, the first British troops land in Chiba from Formosa.
Campaigns and Battles[]
Chiba Campaign (13 June 1812-3 May 1813)[]
The Chiba Campaign was the first major conflict in the Anglo-Japanese War. Immediately after declaration of war, the British sent in 40,000 troops from Formosa to attack Chiba.