Korea’s Isolation and Forced Opening (1876)
- For centuries, Korea followed a “Hermit Kingdom” policy, maintaining isolation and loyalty to China’s Qing dynasty.
- Growing Western and Japanese influence in East Asia pressured Korea to open its ports.
- In 1876, Japan used gunboat diplomacy similar to the U.S. in Japan (1853) to force the Treaty of Ganghwa.
- The treaty declared Korea an independent state (separating it from Chinese influence) and opened three ports to Japanese trade.
- This marked the beginning of Japanese involvement in Korean affairs and the decline of Chinese influence.
Definition
Gunboat Diplomacy
- Use of naval power to enforce foreign demands.
Definition
Treaty of Ganghwa (1876)
- the agreement that opened Korea’s ports to Japan and ended centuries of isolation.
Case study
Queen Min and the Struggle for Reform
Queen Min’s Rise and Influence
- Queen Min (Empress Myeongseong) became a central political figure in late 19th-century Korea.
- She supported modernization and reform but wanted to balance foreign influence between China, Japan, and Russia.
- Queen Min encouraged educational and military reforms modeled partly on Western systems.
- Her growing power challenged pro-Japanese officials in court.
Political Conflict and Assassination
- Pro-Japanese factions saw Queen Min as an obstacle to Japanese dominance.
- In 1895, Japanese agents assassinated her in the Eulmi Incident, eliminating a key opponent to annexation.
- Her death caused public outrage and anti-Japanese sentiment but weakened the Korean monarchy.
- Without Queen Min’s leadership, Korea’s independence became even more vulnerable.
Internal Crisis and the Tonghak Rebellion (1894)
- Discontent grew among peasants due to heavy taxes, corruption, and foreign exploitation.
- The Tonghak (Eastern Learning) movement, led by Choe Je-u, mixed Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity, calling for equality and reform.
- The rebellion spread rapidly, demanding social justice and the expulsion of foreigners.
- The Korean court asked China for military help, prompting Japan to send troops as well, leading to the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895).
- The rebellion was brutally crushed, but it revealed the depth of social unrest and foreign intervention in Korea.
Case study
The Tonghak Rebellion (1894)
Causes and Demands
- Peasants protested high taxes, local corruption, and foreign interference.
- The Tonghak religion united diverse social groups under an anti-foreign, reformist message.
- Rebels wanted land reform and equal treatment for all social classes.
- Their early victories shocked the monarchy and foreign powers.
Suppression and Consequences
- The arrival of both Chinese and Japanese troops escalated tensions into the Sino-Japanese War.
- The rebellion was suppressed by joint Korean and Japanese forces.
- Japan used the crisis as justification to increase military presence in Korea.
- The movement’s failure ended hopes for reform led by Koreans themselves.
Japan’s Control and the Annexation of Korea (1910)
- After defeating China (1895) and Russia (1905), Japan became the dominant power in Korea.
- The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905 made Korea a Japanese protectorate, stripping it of diplomatic independence.
- Ito Hirobumi, Japan’s Resident-General, oversaw Korea’s administration and reforms favoring Japan.
- Resistance continued, but Japan formally annexed Korea in 1910, abolishing the Korean monarchy.
- Japan imposed cultural assimilation, land seizures, and suppression of Korean identity.
Definition
Protectorate
- A territory that keeps local rulers but is controlled by a foreign power in key areas like defense and trade.
Definition
Annexation
- The formal addition of a territory into an empire.
Case study
Japanese Annexation (1910)
Political and Economic Takeover
- Japan controlled Korea’s government and economy, investing in railways, ports, and industry, mainly to benefit Japan.
- Land reforms favored Japanese settlers and companies, displacing many Korean farmers.
- The Korean emperor was forced to abdicate, symbolizing the loss of national sovereignty.
- Korean newspapers and schools were censored to suppress nationalism.
Social and Cultural Impact
- Japanese became the language of education and administration.
- Traditional Korean culture and institutions were systematically weakened.
- Anti-Japanese movements grew among intellectuals and students, laying groundwork for future independence struggles.
- Korea became a colony producing raw materials for Japan’s growing empire.
Common Mistake
- Students often assume Korea’s annexation was sudden, ignoring the step-by-step process from 1876 to 1910.
- Many overlook Queen Min’s role in resisting Japanese influence and promoting modernization.
- Some confuse the Tonghak Rebellion with other peasant movements, missing its role in triggering the Sino-Japanese War.
Exam technique
- Use a chronological approach (Opening → Rebellion → Annexation) to show how Japan expanded influence gradually.
- Always connect internal weakness (like corruption) with external pressure (foreign intervention).
Theory of Knowledge
- How does foreign intervention shape the process of modernization?
- Can modernization be genuine if driven by outside powers rather than local reformers?
Self review
- To what extent did foreign intervention cause the collapse of Korean independence between 1876 and 1910?
- Assess the significance of Queen Min and the Tonghak Rebellion in the transformation of Korea.
- Compare Korean responses to Japanese influence before and after annexation.
