Download Why did Japan annex Korea in 1910?

Why did Japan annex Korea in 1910?
L/O – To assess how and why Japan annexed Korea AND
identify why Korea was powerless to stop it
What can you infer about Korea in the 19th century from this French
political cartoon?
Reasons for Japanese Imperialism
• Since the start of the Meiji Restoration in
1868, Japanese reformers knew that in
order to survive, Japan needed its own
empire.
• Reformers such as Fukugawa Yukichi
criticised China and Korea for not adapting.
He believed Japan had a right and duty to
control Korea to prevent it being taken over
by Western powers.
• This belief in the inferiority of Korean
society would eventually lead to resentment
and calls for Japan to ‘throw off Asia’.
Fukugawa Yukichi
(1835-1901)
We must not wait for neighbouring countries to become
civilized so that we can together promote Asia’s revival.
Rather we should leave their ranks and join forces with the
civilized countries of the West. We don’t have to give China
and Korea any special treatment just because they are
neighbouring countries. We should deal with them as
Western people do. Those who have bad friends cannot
avoid having a bad reputation. I reject the idea that we
must continue to associate with bad friends in East Asia.
From ‘On Throwing off Asia’ by Fukuzawa Yukichi, Quoted
in Oka Yoshitake’s excellent “Prologue” to Marlene Mayo,
ed.,The Emergence of Imperial Japan
Reasons for Japanese Imperialism
• Imperialism – An empire was seen as key
to modernisation and power. Japan also
wanted to prevent Western powers from
controlling Korea like Russia and the USA.
• Economics – Japan lacked natural
resources, needed to feed its growing
population and needed an export market
for its products.
• Military – Japan feared Russian
expansionism in North-East Asia. Control
of Korea would protect Japan from this.
Emperor Meiji
Reasons for Japanese Imperialism
• Japan clearly had rational reasons for
desiring to control Korea and in this
sense, was no different from Western
powers who were trying to dominate
East Asia in the 19th century.
• Japan would eventually take full control
of Korea in 1910, turning it into a colony.
• But how did Japan take control and why
didn’t Korea modernise and resist
domination by foreign powers?
Korea in the
th
19
Century
• Korea in the early 19th century was
plagued by weak government, corruption
and a declining economy.
• Korea was governed by the Choson
Dynasty and operated a Feudal System
similar to Tokugawa Japan – however the
King was weak and dominated by
competing Royal Clans.
• Peasants were exploited by a ruling class
called Yangban. They were an aristocracy
of scholarly officials.
Yangban Official
Taewn’gun Reforms
• In 1864, King Kojong assumed the throne
but was only 11. His father, Grand Prince
Yi Ha-eung assumed the role of regent
(Taewn’gun).
• Between 1864-73, he initiated some
centralising reforms aimed at curbing
corruption, disciplining Royal Clans and
taxing the aristocracy.
• He also tried to protect Korea through an
isolationist foreign policy – no treaties,
no trade, no Catholics, no West, no
Japan!
Li Ha-eung
Kojong Comes of Age
• In this regard the Taewn’gun had some
successes, defeating foreign attempts to
‘open’ Korea: The French and Americans
were defeated in 1866 and 1871.
King Kojong
• However the Taewn’gun was forced into
semi-retirement in 1873 when King
Kojong came of age, supported by his
influential wife, Queen Min.
• King Kojong was a weak king who often
changed his mind but was open to
modernisation, seeking greater ties with
Japan and the West.
Queen
Myeongseong
Treaty of Kangwha - 1876
• However many conservatives, including
his wife Queen Min who supported
continuing ties with Qing China, opposed
contact with the Japanese.
• The imposition of the Treaty of Kangwha
in 1876 by the Japanese was therefore
hugely divisive.
• The King had no choice but to sign and
his Royal Court was split between proChinese (Queen), pro-Japanese (King)
and anti-foreign (Taewn’gun) camps.
Treaty of Kangwha - 1876
• The Treaty forced Korea to end its policy
of isolationism by opening its ports to
trade with Japan.
• It exempt Japan from Customs Duties
and gave Extraterritoriality Rights to
Japanese Citizens – similar to the Treaty
imposed on Japan by Commodore Perry.
• The Treaty also angered China. Korea was
a tributary state of China but was too
weak to protest – both nations were now
competing to control Korea.
Commodore Perry
Kojong Reforms & Imo Mutiny, 1882
• Despite the resentment of the Treaty by
many conservatives, the King pressed ahead
with reforms, accepting Japanese advice.
• However the Taewn’gun opposed any
reforms and changes to the policy of
isolation.
• In July 1882, he supported a military
uprising in Seoul known as the Imo Mutiny.
Soldiers attacked the palace, over-ran the
Japanese legation and killed government
officials including members of the Min Clan.
Japanese legation
burning
Taewn’gun,
leading mutineers
Japanese Ambassador Hanabusa
Yoshitada fights off mutineers
Kojong Reforms & Gapsin Coup
• Queen Min appealed to the Chinese for
help, and the Taewn’gun was promptly
arrested. The Koreans apologised to
Japan, paid an indemnity and allowed
Japan to station troops at their embassy.
• The King pressed on, supported by some
Yangban officials, who created the
Enlightenment Party in 1882, partly
inspired by the Meiji Reformers.
• In December 1884, they attempted a
revolution, known as the Gapsin Coup,
with the help of the Japanese.
Kim Ok-gyun, Japanesebacked leader of the
Gapsin Coup
The Gapsin Coup and End of Reforms
• Queen Min requested military help from
China. The Qing Court sent Yuan Shikai
and 1500 troops to put down the Coup.
• The Japanese legation was burnt, 40
Japanese killed and the pro-Japanese
reformers fled to Japan.
• Japan and China came close to war but
decided to ease tensions by signing the
Tianjin (Li/Ito) Convention in 1885. Both
promised to remove their troops and
inform each other if they sent troops in
future.
Yuan Shikai
China Re-asserts Control
• Despite the Convention of 1885, China
re-asserted its control of Korea by
installing Yuan Shikai as ‘Resident’ in
Seoul.
• Yuan was a reformer in China but
vigorously opposed any reforms in Korea,
seeking to keep Korea as a weak vassal
state.
• Between 1885-1894, China effectively
controlled the Korean government but
this changed dramatically in 1894.
Yuan Shikai
Sino-Japanese War, 1894-95
• In 1894 the Tonghak Rebellion broke-out.
The Korea government panicked and
pleaded for Chinese help. China sent
over 3000 troops to Seoul led by Yuan
Shikai.
• Under the Tianjin Convention, Japan
should have been informed but was not.
Japan then used this is a pretext to attack
China, sending over 7000 troops to
Korea.
• The Sino-Japanese War had begun.
Minister Otori escorting the Korean Regent
as they enter the Palace at Keijo (1894) by
Toyohara Chikanobu
Illustration of the Second Army attacking
and occupying Port Arthur (1894)
Hurrah, Hurrah for the Great Japanese Empire! Picture
of the Assault on Songhwan, a Great Victory for Our
Troops (1894) by Mizuno Toshikata
Our Forces’ Great Victory and Occupation of
Jiuliancheng (1894) by Watanabe Nobukazu
Picture of the First Army Advancing on
Fengtienfu (1894) by Ogata Gekko
Treaty of Shimonoseki, 1895
• Japan soundly defeated China and in the
1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki, Korea was
declared an independent nation, no
longer a tributary state of China.
• Japan was now in control and the proJapanese government pressed ahead
with reforms.
• The Gabo Reforms of 1894-95 ended the
old class system, ended civil service
exams, ended slavery and reformed the
judicial and economic systems.
Assassination of Queen Min
• Many conservative Korean officials who
opposed these reforms rallied behind
Queen Min, who worked to block them.
• Japan decided to assassinate Queen Min
in order to remove this barrier to its
progress. Some theories suggest the King
and the Taewn’gun were involved!
• However the assassination triggered
nationwide opposition to the Japanese,
and even the King was angered, fleeing
to the Russian legation.
Brief Westernisation
• King Kojong blocked Japanese reforms
and ruled from the Russian legation for
over a year between February 1896 –
February 1897.
• The King then pursued a pro-Western
foreign policy, allowing Russian and
American businesses into Korea as a
counter-weight to Japanese influence.
• Trade and resource concessions were
given to Russia, and American &
European businesses helped to
modernise the economy.
The Empire of Korea
• In 1897, King Kojong, with the backing of
Russia, announces the ‘Empire of Korea’
with himself as Emperor and declares the
Empire entirely independent of Japanese
influence.
• This angers Japan who are becoming
concerned by the growing influence of
Russia in Korea.
• Japan begins plotting to destroy Russian
influence in Korea, signing the 1902
Anglo-Japanese Alliance, aimed against
Russian power.
King Kojong &
Prince Sunjong
The Russo-Japanese War, 1904-05
• In 1904 Japan launched a surprise attack
on the Russian navy at Port Arthur and
eventually beat Russia entirely.
• In the 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth, Russia
was forced to acknowledge Japanese
control of Korea.
Itō Hirobumi
• The Treaty designated Korea as a
Japanese ‘protectorate’ and Ito Hirobumi
was appointed as Japanese ‘Resident
General’, effectively in control of Korea.
Illustration of Our Torpedo Hitting Russian Ship
at Great Naval Battle of Port Arthur (1904) by
Kobayashi Kiyochika
Illustration of the Great Naval Battle at the
Harbor Entrance to Port Arthur in the RussoJapanese War (1904) by Rosetsu
Harbor Entrance of Port Arthur: Russian Flagship
Sinking at Port Arthur (1904) by Nitei
Annexation of Korea, 1910
• In order to consolidate its position, in
1907 Japan forced King Kojong to
abdicate, appointing his mentally
challenged son, Sunjong, as King.
• Armed resistance to Japan by ‘Righteous
Armies’ spread throughout the
countryside, organised by ex-Yangban.
Over 17,000 are killed.
• A wave of assassinations also targets
Japanese officials, including Ito Hirobumi.
This gives Japan the excuse to annex
Korea fully in 1910.
King Sunjong
Itō Hirobumi
Historiography – Key Debate
“Did the internal development of Chosun society have enough
depth to trigger the creation of a modern state?”
Yes!
• Late Chosun would have developed
on its own into a modern state
• It was stopped from doing so by
the impact of imperialism
No!
• Late Chosun society was essentially
stagnant and trapped in the premodern stage
• The impact of imperialism forced Korea
to develop into a modern state
Professor Kyung Moon Hwang in: ‘A History of Korea’ (2010)
“Imperialism ushered in the transition to the modern era, however, significant
internally driven upheavals also proved essential to this process.”
1. Make a list of points/evidence that could be used to substantiate both sides of
the debate. You make like to create a table.
2. To what extent do you agree with the Professor?
Yes – Could have developed
into a modern state on its own
No – Society was stagnant and
required imperialism to modernise
• Taewn’gun reforms had eased
corruption and centralised power.
• Government was paralysed by constant
power struggles between King, Queen
and Taewn’gun.
• Kojong Reforms in 1870s & early
1880s were forward thinking – sent
scholars to learn from other
countries.
• Korea deliberately kept weak by foreign
powers – impossible to challenge.
• Rebellions like Tonghak were
forcing government and society to
change/modernise. Western ideas
were being implemented.
• Enlightenment Party in 1880s and
Independence Movement in late
1890s were a force for
modernisation.
• Enlightenment Party in 1880s crushed in
part by own government.
• Tonghak rebellion caused no major
changes to government views – inability
to change.
• Anti-foreign societal views blocked
modernisation and change.
• Gabo Reforms were achieved only
through Japanese influence.
Paper 3 - Exam Question
• Why did Japan annex Korea in 1910? (20 marks)
Candidates may initially establish that Japan, during the Meiji period (1868–1912), was
rapidly industrializing and modernizing. Early in this period the Japanese government was
interested in Korea as a possible future possession: in order to emulate the imperialist
nature of the Western powers; as a source of raw materials; as a steady market for
Japanese exports; as a “granary” to feed the rising Japanese population; for protection from
an expanding Russia; for strategic advantages in dealing with both Russia and China. Japan
forced Korea to open its ports in 1876 with the Treaty of Kanghwa. Japan recognized Korea
as an independent state, but Korea still considered itself to be under Chinese control. The
Treaty of Shimonoseki after the Sino–Japanese War (1894–1895) forced China to recognize
Korea’s independence and also gave Japan more trading ports in Korea. Japan began to
dominate the internal politics of Korea. The Japanese murdered Empress Min who sought
Russian help. The Treaty of Portsmouth following the Russo–Japanese War (1904–1905)
recognized Japan’s political, economic and military interests in Korea. Finally, Japan formally
annexed Korea in 1910.
Paper 3 - Exam Question
• Why did the Taewn’gun’s policy of national isolation fail to protect
Korea from foreign intervention in the period 1864-1910? (20 marks)
The Taewðn-gun (Great Lord of the Court) became regent on his son’s accession as King Kojong in 1864 until 1873. He
remained a dominant political figure until his death in 1898. He was hostile to all foreign influence and it was not until
1876 that Korea was forced to sign the Treaty of Kanghwa with Japan. Rivalry between the Taewðn-gun and Queen
Min, who supported reform on the Japanese pattern, caused the Taewðn-gun to organise an attack upon the palace
and Japanese legation. Queen Min escaped. The Chinese sent the Taewðn-gun into exile and reached an agreement
with the Japanese by which Korea apologised, paid an indemnity and allowed Japan to station troops at their embassy
and to send troops in the future. In December 1884, a pro-Japanese group headed by Kim Ok-Kyun attempted a coup,
which failed. The agreement which followed led to the withdrawal of Chinese and Japanese troops from Korea, but
allowed for their return if notification were given. This made Korea really a joint protectorate of China and Japan and
laid the seeds for the conflict of 1894. Candidates should display knowledge and link events to the international
situation which made a policy of isolation impossible.
0-7 marks – for narrative or for vague generalisations unsupported by evidence.
8-10 marks – for awareness of the Taewn’gun’s policy, growing Western and Japanese pressure and the events of 1876
and after.
11-13 marks – for simple analysis of the policies of the Taewn’gun, Queen Min, the Chinese, the Japanese and the
Western Powers.
14-16 marks – for more detailed analysis of the importance of the Korean peninsula for both China and Japan, placing
events and policies in their strategic context.
17+ marks – for a sophisticated analysis of events with the Taewn’gun’s policy of isolation placed in its international,
regional and domestic contexts.