The Nature of Japanese Annexation and its Political Effects
- Japan formally annexed Korea in 1910 after years of influence following the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) and the Eulsa Treaty (1905), which made Korea a protectorate.
- Korea’s monarchy was abolished; the Korean emperor was forced to abdicate, and the country was ruled by a Japanese Governor-General with absolute authority.
- Japanese authorities imposed political repression, banning Korean newspapers, organizations, and schools that promoted nationalism.
- The March First Movement (1919) became a nationwide protest demanding independence; it was suppressed by force, leaving thousands dead.
- The Japanese colonial government later adopted a policy of “cultural rule” (from 1920), allowing limited expression but continuing surveillance and censorship.
Definition
Eulsa Treaty (1905)
Agreement making Korea a Japanese protectorate before full annexation.
Definition
Russo-Japanese War
Fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and the Korean Empire.
Case study
The Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905)
Causes and Course of the War
- The Russo-Japanese War began over control of Manchuria and Korea, two regions both countries wanted to dominate for their natural resources and strategic ports.
- After defeating China in 1895, Japan gained influence in Korea, but Russia blocked Japanese ambitions by occupying Port Arthur and expanding the Trans-Siberian Railway into Manchuria.
- Japan tried to negotiate a deal giving Russia control over Manchuria in exchange for recognition of Japan’s rights in Korea, but Russia refused.
- In February 1904, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur, beginning the war.
- The Japanese army and navy won a series of battles, including Mukden (1905) on land and Tsushima Strait (1905) at sea, where Japan destroyed most of Russia’s navy.
Consequences and Significance
- The Treaty of Portsmouth (1905), brokered by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, ended the war. Japan gained control of Port Arthur, parts of Manchuria, and recognized influence in Korea.
- The victory shocked the world: it was the first time an Asian power defeated a European empire, proving that modernization could rival Western imperialism.
- Japan’s success increased its confidence and desire for imperial expansion, leading to the annexation of Korea (1910).
- Russia’s defeat caused political unrest at home, contributing to the 1905 Russian Revolution.
- In Korea and China, Japan’s victory inspired both nationalist movements (seeking independence) and fear of Japanese dominance.
The Impact of the Sino-Japanese War and Wartime Mobilization (1937–1945)
- During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), Korea was transformed into a militarized colony supporting Japan’s war effort.
- Millions of Koreans were subjected to forced labor in factories, mines, and military construction projects across Asia.
- The National Mobilization Law (1938) imposed universal conscription and strict state control over production and resources.
- Korean women were forced into sexual slavery as “comfort women” for Japanese soldiers, a policy justified by wartime propaganda.
- The Japanese government intensified cultural assimilation (naisen ittai), forcing Koreans to adopt Japanese names and worship at Shinto shrines.
Definition
National Mobilization Law (1938)
Wartime legislation conscripting labor and resources across the Japanese empire.
Definition
Comfort Women
- Korean and other Asian women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.
Case study
Liberation and Division of Korea (1945)
Postwar Division
- Japan’s surrender in August 1945 ended 35 years of colonial rule but left Korea without an indigenous government or stable leadership.
- The Allied Powers divided Korea along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union occupying the north and the United States the south.
- Initially intended as a temporary measure, the division hardened due to Cold War tensions and ideological rivalry.
- In 1948, two separate states were established: the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) under Kim Il-sung, and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) under Syngman Rhee.
- The division created lasting political and social dislocation: families were split, trade was disrupted, and rival governments both claimed to represent all Koreans.
Social Legacy of Colonial Rule
- Postwar Korea inherited deep economic inequality, industrial concentration in the north, and dependence on Japanese infrastructure.
- National identity had been suppressed for decades; independence brought both national pride and ideological conflict.
- The memory of collaboration and resistance during occupation shaped postwar politics, with many leaders accused of serving Japanese interests.
Common Mistake
- Treating Japanese rule as purely exploitative without acknowledging elements of modernization and industrial growth.
- Overlooking how wartime mobilization (1937–1945) transformed Korean society and intensified assimilation.
- Describing the division of Korea (1945) as accidental rather than part of the emerging Cold War structure.
Exam technique
- Link colonial modernization and repression: show how Japan’s development projects served imperial goals.
- Include precise dates and policies (Land Survey Program, National Mobilization Law, Naisen Ittai).
- In “to what extent” questions, balance Japanese economic modernization with political and cultural oppression.
Theory of Knowledge
- Can colonial modernization justify political oppression?
- How does war reshape cultural identity under foreign rule?
- To what extent does ideological rivalry determine national division after liberation?
Self review
- Assess the political, economic, and social impact of Japanese rule over Korea (1910–1945).
- Examine the effects of Japan’s wartime mobilization policies (1937–1945) on Korean society.
- To what extent did the division of Korea at the 38th parallel (1945) result from the legacy of Japanese imperialismand Cold War tensions?
