Korea+-+The+Fulcrum+of+Power+in+East+Asia




 * [|Photographs from the late Chosun Dynasty to the early 1920s]**

What you should be able to do at the end of this section: =Central question: __**//Was Japanese annexation of Korea inevitable?//**__=
 * Korea**, like Japan went through the same challenges from external forces and internal conflict as did Japan during the early years of the Meiji Restoration. The differences are largely based on timing and the nature of Korean society and its history.
 * Explain the differences between the Japanese experience to modernize and the Korean and account for those differences.
 * Identify those pivotal moments in Korea's history during the 19th and early 20th century where they missed opportunities to change the course of events that eventuated in their loss of sovereignty under Japanese imperialism.

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=**Exercise: Comparing the Kabo (Gabo) Reform Edicts (1894) and the Meiji Charter of Oath (1868) (Required)**=


 * Document I: The Gabo Reform Edicts** (1)
 * 1) Korea is a sovereign country (i.e., completely independent from China's interference).
 * 2) Only the King (and not the [|Yangban] elite) is to control the government.
 * 3) Those with talent are to be allowed to study.
 * 4) The army is to be established on the basis of conscription, regardless of background.
 * 5) Appointment to the government is to be based on merit alone.
 * 6) Leather working, acting and so on are to no longer be regarded as degrading work.
 * 7) Hierarchical society (//sinbun// class system) is to be abolished.

1. Source: Wikipedia


 * Document II: The Charter Oath of 1868** [|(1)]

The following declaration, often called the "Charter Oath of 1868" is one of the first documents written by the new Meiji leaders and reveals much about the new society they hoped to create.

By this oath we set up as our aim the establishment of the national weal on a broad basis and the framing of a constitution and laws. 1. Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided by public discussion. 2. All classes, high and low, shall unite in vigorously carrying out the administration of affairs of state. 3. The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall each be allowed to pursue his own calling so that there may be no discontent. 4. Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and everything based upon the just laws of Nature. 5. Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule.*

The oath was written by the new leaders and given to the newly restored emperor to present to the people. (1) Source: //Sources of Japanese Tradition//, volume II, compiled by Ryusaku Tsunoda, Wm. Theodore de Bary and Donald Keene (N.Y.:Columbia University Press, 1958) p. 137.
 * Assignment:**
 * With your shoulder partner**
 * **Complete the Chart given to you in class.**

= =

=Project Assignment= =Timeline of Korean History: The Last One Hundred Years of the Chosun Dynasty= A method in helping you understand cause and effect. Students should know what were the most important events leading to Japan's annexation of Korea.
 * Purpose:**

A teacher asks you to tell them what you feel were the **five (no more than 5, possibly fewer)** most important events of the latter years of the Chosun Dynasty that enabled the Japanese annexation of Korea. You are not sure, you have spent so much time examining Chinese and Japanese history that you honestly don't know. Moreover, a lot of the text material focuses on those two other nations. As such you have decided to answer the question by creating a time line that will become a basis for teaching this period of Korean history. You are to create a time line featuring information that will include the cause and effects of significant events in the last one hundred years of the Chosun Dynasty. You should include pictures and other visual information where needed. Your time line will include those international conflicts or events that had some impact on Korea even if they did not involve her directly, i.e. Sino-Japanese War, or the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in 1902. Be sure to always list the cause and the effect for the events you identify. Moreover, and most importantly, show how that event facilitated the annexation of Korea by Japan. You may use time line program like [|Dipity]or[| Timetoast] or just do it free hand or using Pages, but be sure to have it done. Sources must be documented using [|MLA]. The events you choose should be significant to understanding the forces that effected change in Korean history. There can only be five and so you must choose wisely which you include (and why you included them). If they are of little impact on the future of Korean history, then they might not be worth having in your time line. As always, your text book is the best place to begin. Try also [|ABC-CLIO.] I would prefer you use English sourced material when possible. I am, though, aware that few sources are available in English on the internet - the moniker 'Hermit Kingdom' remains at least on electronic sources. However, I have located what might be a reliable source (citations for it are not that abundant, but are present), see [|The Korean History Project]. Here's another website (Special thanks to Megan for finding this)[| KoreanHistory]. You may work **individually or with a partner**. No more than two people can hand in one time line for a grade. Please conference with me if you are working with a partner. Your grade will be based on how well you address these areas:
 * Problem:**
 * Avenue to solve the problem:**
 * Program to use to create the time line:**
 * Point of consideration**:
 * Limitation**:
 * Grading Rubric**:
 * 1) Content: clearly articulated and correct descriptions of the cause(s) and effect(s) for events is provided. As well, **the explanation as to why an event is important is also very important.** Thus at least a full paragraph entry is needed for this part alone**.** Do note that many people see a correlation as a cause. That is, just because something occurred before an event does not necessarily make it a direct cause of said event. See [|Correlation does not imply causation].
 * 2) Attractiveness of time line: of course it ought to be easy to read and identify the important events. There is always a learning curve involved in using a software program (if you choose to do so). Your mastery of this shows some type of skill and knowledge. Is this super important? No, but it will form part of your mark.
 * 3) Issues of grammar: of course this is significant. Your correct use of all elements of language matter.
 * 4) Sources are identified. This must be done. Any sources used and not cited will result in a grade of zero as this is clearly plagiarism and a violation of the student code of conduct.
 * 5) Use of class time. Be wise, be efficient, be focused.
 * Total value: 20 points
 * Due: TBA (One full hour of class time will be allocated for this).