ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Taiwan Expedition of 1874

So, a long time ago in the year 1874, some people from a country called Japan decided they wanted to explore and study the island of Taiwan. They put together a big group of soldiers and sailors and sailed over in some big boats called ships.

When they got to Taiwan, they found that the people who lived there didn't really want them there. The soldiers and sailors had guns and weapons, but the people of Taiwan mostly had swords and bows and arrows. They tried to fight back against the invaders but they were outnumbered and outgunned.

Eventually, the Japanese soldiers were able to take control of Taiwan and start exploring and studying the island. They learned a lot about the plants and animals that lived there and also about the people who lived there and their customs.

But, some people believe that the Taiwan Expedition of 1874 was actually a bad thing because it led to resentment and conflict between Japan and Taiwan for years to come. It's important to learn about history, but we should also remember that sometimes things that seem like a good idea at the time can have lasting consequences.