Evaluate the impact on China of its defeat in the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895).

Candidates will make an appraisal of the impact on China of its defeat in the Sino-Japanese War by weighing up its importance or otherwise regarding political, economic, social or cultural aspects in Chinese society, but these need not all be covered or covered equally. They may adopt a chronological approach that contextualises the war and then outline the impact of the defeat on subsequent events. Alternatively, candidates may choose a thematic approach and evaluate areas such as intellectual debate, the rise of revolutionary groups, further attempts at reform, internal and external conflict. Some candidates may focus on the immediate aftermath whilst others will extend their appraisal to 1912 and beyond. Both the importance or otherwise must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal focus on each. While other, relevant, factors such as weak government and Western exploitation may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.