Japanese annexation of Korea
Topic: Paths to Modernisation: Japan, China, Korea · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 7 "Paths to Modernisation"
Meaning
In 1910, Japan annexed Korea, meaning it took Korea over as a colony. This ended the Joseon dynasty, which had ruled Korea since 1392. Japanese rule tried to wipe out Korean culture through forced assimilation, which meant making Koreans live and think like Japanese. Koreans resisted, and the colony lasted until liberation in August 1945.
Example
Koreans formed a provisional government in exile, a government working from outside the country. They appealed for freedom at the wartime conferences of Cairo, Yalta and Potsdam. Japan's earlier wins over China (1894–95) and Russia (1904–05) had cleared its way to annex Korea.
Don't confuse with
- Japan's takeover of Taiwan (1895): China ceded Taiwan to Japan after the 1894–95 war. Korea was annexed later, in 1910.
Related concepts
- Taiwan
- Cross-Strait relations
- Joseon dynasty
- 38th parallel
- Korean War
- Park Chung-hee
- Export-oriented industrialisation
- Import substitution industrialisation
- Saemaul Movement
- Gwangju Democratisation Movement