The history of Korea, now divided into South Korea and North Korea, is closely linked with the Japanese Empire. At the start of the 20th century, Korea was a single state with strong ties to its neighboring countries. However, its relationship with Japan became increasingly unequal, favoring Japan. This shift began with the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876, which allowed Japan to open three Korean ports for trade and granted Japanese citizens special rights in Korea. Although both countries signed the treaty, it was more beneficial to Japan and was enforced through military pressure after the Battle of Ganghwa.
As Japanese merchants and citizens began to settle in Korea, Japan’s influence grew. Many Koreans were unhappy with the unequal treaty and the growing presence of the Japanese, leading to a violent uprising in 1882. Although Japan managed to maintain its influence, tensions continued. In 1884, Japan supported a coup with the Korean Progressive Party, establishing a government that favored Japanese interests. However, the Chinese-backed Conservative Party opposed this and called on China to help reverse the coup, temporarily halting Japan’s expansion.
In the 1890s, a new peasant revolt called the Donghak Peasant Revolution erupted in 1894. The Korean government sought China’s help to suppress the rebellion, which Japan used as an excuse to intervene militarily, accusing China of breaking the Convention of Tientsin. This led to the First Sino-Japanese War, which Japan won. The resulting treaty claimed to secure Korea’s independence, but in reality, it allowed Japan to increase its control, starting with the assassination of Queen Min of Korea. Her husband, King Gojong, survived and declared the Korean Empire in 1897, attempting to modernize Korea and build ties with Western nations to counter Japan’s influence.
Despite these efforts, Japan’s power continued to grow. After defeating Russia in the Russo-Japanese War, Japan made significant changes in Korea, including replacing Korean officials with Japanese ones. Many Koreans resisted, seeing Japan as a threat to their freedom and identity, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The Eulsa Treaty of 1905 made Korea a protectorate of Japan, stripping it of its military and reducing its army.
When Emperor Gojong tried to send representatives to the Second Peace Conference in The Hague, Japan used this as an excuse to tighten its control. In 1907, Japan forced Gojong to abdicate and replaced him with Emperor Sunjong. A new treaty gave Japan full control over the Korean government, allowing Japanese officials to hold all high-ranking positions.
In August 1910, Japan officially annexed Korea through the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, which heavily favored Japan. Although the annexation was non-violent, it marked the start of a harsh regime for Koreans. In the first year, Japanese authorities arrested hundreds of dissenters, with many imprisoned and tortured. Japan tried to convince Koreans that annexation was beneficial, portraying themselves as a “civilizing” force for what they considered a “backward” people.
Korean culture faced severe repression. The Japanese imposed their language and education to assimilate Koreans, while land reforms favored Japanese settlers, forcing many Koreans to become tenant farmers. Koreans were also required to adopt Japanese surnames, with penalties for those who resisted.
Despite the oppressive regime, Koreans made several attempts to resist, the most significant being the March First Movement in 1919. This movement involved around 2 million Koreans demanding independence. It began on March 1, 1919, when 33 cultural and religious leaders read a “Proclamation of Independence” in Seoul, sparking widespread protests. However, the movement was suppressed by Japanese authorities, resulting in thousands of deaths and arrests.
After World War II, Japan was expelled from Korea, and the peninsula was divided into two zones of occupation—one by the Americans in the south and the other by the Soviets in the north. This marked the end of Japanese rule in Korea and the beginning of a divided Korea. Today, South Korea celebrates March 1st as a national holiday, honoring the resistance against Japanese annexation. Despite Japan’s efforts to assimilate Koreans and erase their identity, Koreans have preserved their unique culture, language, and history.
Research one of the key events leading to the annexation of Korea by Japan, such as the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876, the Donghak Peasant Revolution, or the March First Movement. Prepare a short presentation to share with the class, highlighting the event’s significance and impact on Korean history.
Participate in a class debate on the topic: “Was the annexation of Korea by Japan justified?” Work in teams to prepare arguments for or against the annexation, using historical evidence from the article and additional research to support your stance.
Create a detailed timeline of the events leading up to and following the annexation of Korea by Japan. Include key dates, treaties, and significant figures involved. Use visuals and brief descriptions to make your timeline engaging and informative.
Choose a historical figure from the article, such as King Gojong, Queen Min, or a leader of the March First Movement. Research their role and perspective during the annexation period. Participate in a role-playing activity where you present your character’s viewpoint and experiences during this time.
Examine primary source documents related to the annexation of Korea, such as treaties, letters, or newspaper articles from the era. Analyze these documents to understand the perspectives of different stakeholders involved. Write a short reflection on how these sources contribute to your understanding of the historical context.
**The History of South Korea and North Korea**
The history of South Korea and North Korea is deeply intertwined with that of the Japanese Empire. Korea, at this point a single state, had long-standing ties to its neighboring countries. However, by the start of the 20th century, its relationship with Japan was becoming increasingly one-sided, to Korea’s detriment. The Japan-Korea Treaty, signed in 1876, marked a significant turning point in relations between the two nations as Korea began to distance itself from China. This treaty aimed to grant Japan new trade rights with Korea, opening three ports and providing Japanese nationals in Korea with extraterritorial rights. Although both sides signed the agreement, it was largely more advantageous for Japan and was achieved through gunboat diplomacy following the Battle of Ganghwa.
As Japanese citizens and merchants began to arrive in Korea, the influence of the Japanese Empire started to expand. Not all Koreans were satisfied with the unequal treaty or the presence of the Japanese Empire, leading to a bloody revolt in 1882. Although the situation was resolved in favor of the Japanese that same year, two years later, the Japanese Empire collaborated with the Korean Progressive Party to stage a successful coup, resulting in the establishment of a Japanese puppet government. In opposition was the Chinese-backed Conservative Party, which called upon their Chinese allies to reverse the coup and expel the Japanese, temporarily halting their expansionism.
However, by the 1890s, a new peasant revolt emerged. In the spring of 1894, the Donghak Peasant Revolution broke out, prompting the contemporary Korean government to seek assistance from China to quell the rebellion. The Japanese, seeing this as an opportunity, accused China of violating the Convention of Tientsin and launched a military intervention, leading to the First Sino-Japanese War, which Japan ultimately won. The treaty that ended the conflict allegedly secured Korea’s full autonomy and independence, but Japan was now in a position to exert greater control, beginning with the assassination of Queen Min of Korea. Her husband, Gojong, survived and remained king until he declared the establishment of the Korean Empire in the fall of 1897. He sought to modernize Korea and foster closer ties with Western nations, which many Koreans believed were necessary to counter Japanese influence.
Despite these efforts, Japan’s dominance continued to grow. After defeating Russia in the Russo-Japanese War, Japan aimed to implement significant changes in Korea, including replacing Korean government officials with Japanese citizens. Resistance from many Koreans, who viewed the Japanese as a threat to their freedom and identity, ultimately failed. The Eulsa Treaty of 1905 transformed Korea into a protectorate of the Japanese Empire, stripping Korea of its military capabilities and drastically reducing the size of its army.
When Emperor Gojong attempted to send envoys to the Second Peace Conference in The Hague, the Japanese used this as a pretext to tighten their grip on Korea. In the summer of 1907, they forced Gojong out of power and replaced him with Emperor Sunjong. A subsequent treaty granted Japan full control over the Korean government, allowing the Japanese Resident-General to appoint all high-ranking officials, who had to be Japanese.
In August 1910, Japan officially annexed Korea through the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, which favored Japan. Although the annexation was non-violent, it marked the beginning of a harsh regime for the Korean people. In the first year of Japanese rule, authorities arrested hundreds of dissenters, with estimates suggesting around 700 were imprisoned and many tortured. The Japanese sought to convince Koreans that annexation was beneficial, portraying themselves as a “civilizing” force for what they deemed a “backward” people.
Korean culture faced severe repression. The Japanese language and education were imposed to assimilate Koreans, while land reforms favored incoming Japanese settlers, forcing many Koreans to become tenant farmers on their own land. The Japanese also mandated the adoption of Japanese surnames, with those who resisted facing penalties.
Despite the oppressive regime, there were multiple attempts at rebellion, with the most significant being the March First Movement in 1919. This series of demonstrations involved around 2 million Koreans advocating for independence. The movement began on March 1, 1919, when 33 cultural and religious leaders read a “Proclamation of Independence” in Seoul, sparking widespread protests. However, the movement was ultimately suppressed by Japanese authorities, resulting in thousands of deaths and arrests.
Following World War II, Japan was expelled from Korea, and the peninsula was divided into two zones of occupation—one by the Americans in the south and the other by the Soviets in the north. This marked the end of Japanese dominance in Korea and the beginning of a divided Korea. Today, South Korea celebrates March 1st as a national holiday, honoring the resistance against Japanese annexation. Despite Japan’s extensive efforts to assimilate Koreans and erase their identity, Koreans have retained their unique culture, language, and history.
Korea – A region in East Asia, divided into two sovereign states, North Korea and South Korea, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. – Korea has a long history of cultural achievements, including the creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangul, during the Joseon Dynasty.
Japan – An island nation in East Asia with a significant historical impact on global culture, politics, and economics. – Japan’s Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century marked a period of rapid modernization and industrialization.
Treaty – A formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations. – The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations on Germany.
Annexation – The action of annexing something, especially territory, by a state. – The annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898 was a significant event in American expansionism.
Empire – A group of states or territories controlled by one ruler or government, often established through conquest. – The British Empire, at its height, was the largest empire in history, covering territories on every inhabited continent.
Resistance – The refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument. – During World War II, the French Resistance played a crucial role in undermining Nazi occupation through sabotage and intelligence gathering.
Culture – The social behavior and norms found in human societies, including beliefs, arts, laws, customs, and habits. – The Renaissance was a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe, characterized by developments in art, literature, and science.
Independence – The fact or state of being independent, especially from political control by another country. – India gained independence from British rule in 1947, marking the end of colonialism in the region.
Movement – A group of people working together to advance their shared political, social, or artistic ideas. – The Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often focusing on the analysis of cause and effect. – Understanding history is essential for learning from past mistakes and successes to shape a better future.
