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 19th 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.

• 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

King Kojong

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 pro-Chinese (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.

Taewn’gun, leading mutineers

Japanese legation burning

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, Japanese-backed 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 pro-Japanese 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.

• The Treaty designated Korea as a Japanese ‘protectorate’ and Ito Hirobumi was appointed as Japanese ‘Resident General’, effectively in control of Korea.

Itō Hirobumi

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 Russo-Japanese 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.

Itō Hirobumi

King Sunjong

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 pre-modern 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

• Taewn’gun reforms had eased corruption and centralised power.

• Kojong Reforms in 1870s & early 1880s were forward thinking – sent scholars to learn from other countries.

• 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.

No – Society was stagnant and required imperialism to modernise

• Government was paralysed by constant power struggles between King, Queen and Taewn’gun.

• Korea deliberately kept weak by foreign powers – impossible to challenge.

• 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.

1-2 No understanding of question, Little or no structure, Unsupported generalisations

3-4 Little understanding of question, knowledge present but insufficient detail, Poorly substantiated assertions.

5-6 Some understanding of question, knowledge is limited in quality & quantity, question partially addressed.

7-8Question generally understood, relevant knowledge present but unevenly applied, knowledge is narrative or descriptive in nature, may be limited argument/analysis,

attempt at structure

9-11 Question is understood but not all implication considered, knowledge largely accurate, critical commentary/analysis may be present, events in context, clear structure

12-14Clearly focused on question, relevant in-depth knowledge applied as evidence, in-depth analysis/critical commentary used but not consistent, historiography may be

used to substantiate, synthesis present but not consistent

15-17Clearly structured and focused, full awareness of question, may challenge question,

accurate and detailed knowledge used convincingly to support analysis/critical commentary, historiography used effectively, synthesis is well-developed & supported

by knowledge and analysis

18-20As above but… with high degree of awareness of question, may challenge successfully,

knowledge is extensive and accurately applied, evaluation is integrated into answer, synthesis & use of historiography highly developed