Park,+Sung+Kyu+(Kyu)BDSEM22011

Kyu's Wikispace


 * Sino Japanese**

//How are the Chinese soldiers portrayed in these prints? The Japanese soldiers?//

Chinese soldiers are depicted as weak and unorganized, while the Japanese soldiers are portrayed as an organized unit and often performs heroic actions while fighting off numerous chinese people by themselves.

//Look at the weapons used by each side, are they different? How? Does this tell us anything about Japanese technological advancement?//

The Japanese soldiers seem to have more advanced weapons. The weaponry of Japanese soldiers are all uniform and advanced (such as cannons), as they all have a gun and a samurai sword. The Chinese soldiers do not have a set weapon and carry numerous weapons and have few guns that seems less powerful.This shows that Japan has successfully achieved technological advance and westernization for a more powerful military.

//Why do sports often become symbolic battlegrounds between nations?//

Wars cause too many casualties and is detrimental for both nations. However, sports aren't destructive and all countries can compete under a set equal rule. This makes sports a perfect competing material for countries that feel confident through their nationalism when winning. It is human nature to try to compete and prove oneself superior over a rival, and the sports serve as a symbolic background of wars due to the competition of talent and abilities through the representatives.

//Is imperialism/colonialism simply about militarily and politically controlling another nation, or is it also about proving one’s self-perceived cultural superiority over another?//

Imperialism also includes cultural superiority over other nations. When one nation imperializes another, they often try to embed their own culture into the new society. This is because they often think they are 'helping' the weak nations with their 'superior' culture. By putting various cultural values into the imperialized nation, the nation tries to gain both physical and mental control over them.


 * Russo-Japanese War**

//Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the heroics of war better?//

Renditions depict the heroics of war better than photographs because it is hard to take a picture of a moment of heroic action, and in reality such moments are extremely scare. Photographs cannot convey a certain message as well as a rendition because renditions are made 'for' a purpose, whereas photos are 'given' a purpose. Photograhs, that show reality is further away from unrealistic heroism.

//Do artistic renditions or photographs depict the horrors of war better? (Consider__all__photographs of war that you have seen, both historical and contemporary)//

Photographs depict the horrors of war better. Because renditions usually prefer one side over another, it always shows that one side is winning and not dying while the other side is getting massacred. However, in wars, this is never the case. Both sides go through large amounts of casualties and the scenes are ugly. The horrors of war, the ugly reality, is better depicted through photos because photos are the true image of the battlefield.

//How does the medium affect the message? Can we say that, [|"[The medium is the message"]] ?//

The source of the medium and type of medium can alter the message's credibility, preference, and availability. Such mass media can be spread quickly and would affect a huge population, whereas small newspapers or opposing news that goes against the people's values would be less appreciated and become not as available. Such media as movies would have affected the message 'Japanese soldiers greatly won over Russians' seem more realistic and true, when it was a narrow victory.

//Why is 1905 such a turning point in Japanese and World history? How might history have been different had Japan lost the Russo-Japanese War?//

It is the year that Japan has first gained victory over a western nation. This caused Japan to become full of itself and advance as a global power, as the whole world started to accept Japan's power. However, I feel that even if Japan was to lose the Russo-Japanese war, Japan would have learned from their mistakes and still developed quickly as a global power. The Victory over Russia was only a matter of time, that Japan would eventually become stronger than some kind of Western power.


 * Kabo Reform Edicts and the Meiji Charter of Oath**

//How are these documents alike? Be specific in showing exactly how they are similar.//

The two documents, Kabo reform Edicts and the Meiji charter of oath, are both lists of policies towards modernization. They both contain the idea of education and recognizes the importance of it. They both broaden the range of people who can study, and allows more spreading of education for search of talent. Both reforms also take a step closer to equality. The Sinbun system of the Kabo Reform Edicts is abolished, and the Meiji Charter Oath indicates that everyone has equal rights.

//How are these documents different? Be specific in showing how exactly they are different.//

The Kabo still gives the upper noble class the ruling rights, and has not yet given enough power to the lower class people. However, in the Meiji Charter Oath, all class' opinions are appreciated and voiced through. Another major difference is the selectivity of education. Though both broadened the range, Kabo Edict Reform only allows those who are 'talented' whereas Meiji Charter Oath gives equal educational rights to everyone. The Meiji Charter of Oath is overall more developed and democratic.

//What, ultimately, is their purpose?//

The purpose was to modernize and evolve more quickly through such reforms that allow the search of talent and higher efficiency in the system by using the common people's power.

//These were very lofty goals for both people to try to achieve. To what degree do you feel the Koreans and the Japanese were able to achieve their objectives?//

The Koreans weren't as successful in abolishing the Sinbun system, because discrimination of classes still existed for a long time, and yangbans still existed. Such minority groups as yangbans that have excess unfair power can bring great reluctance of the people, thus not functioning as well. The Japan's democratic reforms seem reasonable and even still seems applicable to our modern democracy. Both educational policies, though in some perspectives are taken to extreme, is still continued until nowadays to find out whose the 'smartest' and 'most talented'. Looking at the strong educational pursuit of current Koreans and Japanese, such reform has surely been successful.

Notes for 5/12

Isabella bird, a traveler, describes Queen Min as a gracious and regal queen. Her jewels and clothing depict her uppermost position in society. He beauty could have been used for efficient diplomacy.

1851, powerless noble family Married gojong at age of 14. The family linkages allowed their marriage. King Gojong didn't want a women with powerful background, however Queen Min eventually became someone with powerful influence over him. Opposed Queen Min due to the westernization ideas that she was promoting. Queen Min tried to maintain Korea's independence through stronger military and reforms. Became center of Kapsiw Coup. Japan tried to get rid of certain icons that would bond through nationalism. So they assassinated Queen Min.

Timeline (With Susie) media type="custom" key="9429658" Works Cited "Russo-Japanese War." //World History: The Modern Era//. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 May 2011.

"Taewongun." //World History: The Modern Era//. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 May 2011. "Tonghak Rebellion KoreanHistory.info Korean History." //KoreanHistory.info A History of Korea from Prehistoric to Modern Times, Korean History Quiz, Korean History Mp3s and More .// Web. 15 May 2011. .

"File:GanghwaTreaty.jpg." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 15 May 2011. <>.

 "File:RUSSOJAPANESEWARIMAGE.jpg." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 15 May 2011. <>.

"Tonghak Rebellion KoreanHistory.info Korean History." //KoreanHistory.info A History of Korea from Prehistoric to Modern Times, Korean History Quiz, Korean History Mp3s and More .// Web. 15 May 2011. <[|__http://koreanhistory.info/Tonghak.htm__]>.