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Challenges of Modernization - Donghak Struggle of 1894

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Donghak Struggle of 1894

Donghak, or Eastern Learning, was based on the doctrine of the salvation of farmers from their destitute lives. Although its preaching had a religious aspect, the main concern was to realize national stability and security. Seeing that his teaching was gaining in popularity, the government executed Choe Je-u in 1864 on charges of treason. His movement lived on, however, and poverty-stricken farmers flocked to his standard. Large-scale Donghak demonstrations took place in 1892 in Jeolla-do and Chungcheong-do Province. In 1893, Donghak believers went to Hanyang and staged a demonstration in front of the royal palace, but were dispersed by the army. About 20,000 Donghak movement followers assembled at Boeun, Chungcheong-do province, and proclaimed their determination to reject Japan and Europe. In 1894, Jeon Bongjun (1854-1895) assumed leadership of the Donghak movement in Jeolla-do province, where cruel exploitation of the already hard-pressed farmers was in process after the construction of a new reservoir.

Their peaceful protests having proven fruitless, the farmers resorted to violence. The government countered with draconian measures, and an inspector sent from Hanyang ordered wholesale executions. Jeon led a larger uprising and defeated the government army occupying the provincial capital of Jeonju. There they agreed to a cease-fire and submitted a comprehensive reform plan. Unfortunately, however, the royal court, dominated by the Min family, decided to ask for Chinese intervention. Chinese forces, 2,000 strong, landed at Asan beginning June 8 and took Gongju, while government troops recaptured Jeonju on June 11, and the peasant army dispersed. Japan landed 400 marines on June 10 and a mixed brigade on June 16; Japanese forces soon entered Hanyang.

The Japanese army turned its attention to the Donghak only after they had expelled the Chinese forces from Korean territory. The Donghak movement, facing combined government and Japanese troops, was dealt a crushing blow at Taein, Jeolla-do province. Jeon Bongjun was captured alive and beheaded in the capital. Countless Donghak troops and farmers were captured and massacred by the Japanese.

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Late Joseon Period - Welfare Programs Welfare Programs The ideal of a Confucian welfare state during the Joseon Dynasty was conceived and implemented by King Sejong in the 15th century, but it was Yi Sugwang who elaborated on the philosophy of welfare in the period following the Hideyoshi invasions. He expounded the idea that the Way of Heaven was to be found among the people, and its noblest realization was to feed and clothe the people ... Views 30319
Late Joseon Period - Reform Attempts Reform Attempts In the early 19th century, the Korean economy and social conditions improved. The people in general thought that foreign ideas and European commercial enterprise in particular should be taken seriously. Some officials advocated a thorough reform of national finance. The central government examined the proposal, but its implementation was thwarted by a struggle for power. There were numerous agrarian ... Views 31128
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Challenges of Modernization - Response to Capitalist Encroachment Response to Capitalist Encroachment During the late 19th century, insistent demands for commercial relations with Joseon were made by the British, the Russians and other Europeans. The Prussian merchant Ernest J. Oppert in 1866 twice knocked on Korea's door and requested trade, but was refused. In the same year the American ship General Sherman made its memorable sortie into Korean waters with the objective of ... Views 31678
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Challenges of Modernization - Opposition to Japan Opposition to Japan The Japanese minister to Korea, Hanabusa Yoshimoto, forced the Korean government to introduce the Japanese army training system, and a separate training command was established for this purpose. Implementation of army reorganization and training was of itself an effective springboard for aggression. Japan monopolized the Korean market in 1876. Two years later, Japan's Daiichi Bank established a branch ... Views 30840
Challenges of Modernization - Political Upheaval of 1884 Political Upheaval of 1884 The conclusion of a series of commercial treaties between Joseon and foreign countries intensified the encroachment of capitalist powers. A group of reformists denounced the leading politicians for their reliance on foreign influence and tried to introduce reforms that would improve social conditions, enrich the people and strengthen national power. The main concern of Kim Okgyun... Views 30716
Challenges of Modernization - Donghak Struggle of 1894 Donghak Struggle of 1894 Donghak, or Eastern Learning, was based on the doctrine of the salvation of farmers from their destitute lives. Although its preaching had a religious aspect, the main concern was to realize national stability and security. Seeing that his teaching was gaining in popularity, the government executed Choe Je-u in 1864 on charges of treason. His movement lived on, however, and poverty-stricken... Views 30903
Challenges of Modernization - Reform Attempts Reform Attempts The unsuccessful 1884 coup d'etat brought frustration to the reform efforts, but the need for reform still was keenly felt by the populace and some leaders of the government as well. The disintegration of the traditional social order was accelerated by the peasant struggle. Such developments led Korea to implement institutional reform. The conservative government had been compelled to accept the ad... Views 31092
Challenges of Modernization - Intensified Japanese Aggression Intensified Japanese Aggression Japanese aggression in Korea was "a matter of life or death," as was earlier expressed by Hayashi Tadashi, an one-time Japanese minister to London. As Japanese aggression intensified, the Min clique collaborated with Russian Minister Karl Waeber to force Kim Hongjip to reorganize his cabinet, and pro-Russian figures such as Yi Beomjin were given cabinet posts. The government, reorganizing ... Views 30828

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