Joseon Dynasty

The Joseon Dynasty (alternatively, Choson or Chosun) was the final ruling dynasty of Korea, lasting from 1392 until 1910. It was founded by the Jeonju Yi family, and was preceded by the Goryeo dynasty.

Decline and collapse

In the 19th century tensions mounted between Qing China and Japan, culminating in the First Sino-Japanese War (日清戦争 갑오전쟁 甲午戰爭, 1894–1895). Much of this war was fought on the Korean peninsula. Japan, after the Meiji Restoration (明治維新), acquired Western military technology, had forced Joseon to sign the Kanghwa Treaty in 1876. Japan encroached upon Korean territory in search of fish, iron ore, and natural resources. It also established a strong economic presence in the peninsula, heralding the beginning of Japanese imperial expansion in East Asia.

Related Topics:
Sino-Japanese War - 1894 - 1895 - Meiji Restoration - Kanghwa Treaty - 1876

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The Chinese defeat in the 1894 war led to the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which officially guaranteed Korea's "independence from China." The treaty effectively granted Japan direct control over Korean politics. The Joseon court in 1894, pressured by encroachment from larger powers, felt the need to reinforce national integrity and declared "The Great Han Empire" (대한제국 大韓帝國). King Kojong assumed the title of Emperor (황제 皇帝) in order to assert Korea's independence by putting himself on the same level as the Chinese Emperors. In addition, other foreign powers were sought for military technology, especially Russia, to fend off the Japanese. Technically, 1894 marks the end of the Joseon period, as the official name of the state was changed; however, the Yi Dynasty would still reign, albeit perturbed by Japanese interventions such as in 1895, when the Japanese murder Empress Min of Korea, apparently orchestrated by Miura Goro, because the Korean Empress was effective in keeping Japan at bay. In 1910 Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula effectively ends the Yi Dynasty rule.

Related Topics:
Treaty of Shimonoseki - 1895 - Empress Min of Korea - Miura Goro

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The collapse of Russia's navy in the historic battle of Port Arthur (in which Russia's imperial navy was destroyed in a decisive surprise attack), led to a great weakening of Korea's umbrella of protection.

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The combined effect on China of the opium wars to the south and Japanese naval strikes in the north increasingly led the Japanese to see Korea as a strategic foothold into north China, just as Macau and Hong Kong were Portuguese and English trade enclaves into south China.

Related Topics:
Macau - Hong Kong

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