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Boxer Rebellion
A 1900 movement in China to expel foreigners. The name "Boxer" was the nickname given to the secret Chinese organization "the Harmonious and Righteous Fists."
Russo-Japanese War
Conflict in 1904-1905 between Imperial Russia and Japan primarily over Manchuria. The Japanese routed and embarrassed the Russians and defeated their fleet. At the Battle of Mukden, which the Japanese won, more soldiers (624,000) were involved than in any battle before or since. The Treaty of Portsmouth, mediated by US President Theordore Roosevelt, ended the war, and gave Japan a protectorate in nominally-independent Korea.
Sino-Japanese War
War in 1895 in which the Japanese soundly defeated China, and began looking to expand into China's traditional sphere of influence.
Wake Island Meeting
Meeting between President Truman and General Douglas MacArthur on an island in the middle of the Pacific on October 15, 1950. Truman wanted to remind MacArthur of the importance of keeping the Korean conflict limited, and of the importance of ending the war as soon as possible. MacArthur thought Truman wanted to appear in pictures with him for political reasons, so he wore old clothes, didn't put on a tie, and refused to salute his President lest a photographer take a picture. The Wake Island meeting increased MacArthur's hatred for Truman. The meeting also suggested to the Chinese that the Americans were preparing a major operation, and perhaps attempting to reopen the Chinese Civil War. The meeting may have therefore inadvertently helped lead to Chinese involvement in the war.
