KoreaBennett 2015

Korea- “The Hermit Kingdom”Why called the Hermit Kingdom?

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By mid 1800s, European imperial powers wanted access much like they did in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and China.

China not strong enough to help

Forced to sign unequal treaties and great extraterritoriality to foreigners.

Japanese Rule over KoreaCompetition between Russia, Japan, and China to

control Korea.

Japan was strongest at the time.

1910- ousts the Choson dynasty and annexed Korea.

Annex= add a territory to one’s country.

Japanese RuleHarsh towards Koreans

Forced to make changes to serve Japan’s best interests.

Forced to build factories, roads, and railroads.

Encouraged education

Took more than half of Korea’s rice and shipped it to Japan.

Korean Nationalism Koreans bitterly resented Japanese rule.

March 1, 1919 held a massive peaceful rally to protest Japanese rule.

Japanese killed 2,000 and imprisoned 19,000 others.

During WWII Japanese forced Koreans to serve and fight in the war.

Forbade Koreans from speaking their own language.

Made them take Japanese last names Pg. 381-382

The Two KoreasHow did Cold War rivalries affect Korea?

What economic progress has South Korea made?

What basic goal have North Koreans pursued?

A Divided Land1945- Koreans celebrate a Japanese defeat

in WWII.

Hoped to soon gain independence

After the war, the U.S. and Soviet Union (allies during WWII) both had troops in Korea.

Soviet troops in the North U.S. troops in the South

Wanted to ensure Korea got its independence

Cold War RivalriesU.S. and USSR disagreed over what should

happen in Eastern Europe and in Asia after WWII.

Both had nuclear weapons.

U.S. threatened by spread of communism

Soviets hated capitalism

U.S. still bitter of Russians abandoning in WWI.

U.S. policy of containment- do not let communism spread anywhere in the world and it will eventually die out.

38th ParallelLine of latitude

separating the Soviet troops and the U.S. troops

Was only supposed to be temporarily, until elections could be conducted.

Factions form: Soviets back the

Korean Communists U.S. backs the non-

communist Koreans.

By 1948, Korea had officially split into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or North Korea and the Republic of Korea or South Korea.

War in Korea1950- North Korea launches an all-out attack on

South Korea, trying to reunite the country by force.

South Korea retreats.

North Koreans had been trained and equipped with military supplies from the Soviets.

U.S. urges United Nations to take action

U.S. interventionGeneral Douglas MacArthur took command of

the UN led coalition that included 15 nations against North Korea.

North: helped by China and Soviets

South: helped by UN

Results Stalemate

Armistice- an end to the fighting.

The DMZSides agreed to split the peninsula at the 38th

parallel or, the “Demilitarized Zone.”

4 million killed in the war. Even more refugees.

South Korea TodayMaintains a large army

A thriving economy- Kia, Fila, Hyundai, LG, Samsung.

First GovernmentPresident Syngman Rhee used harsh

rule and fear to control people’s lives.

Resigns due to democratic protests.

Government today restricts human rights to protect itself from North Korea.

Economic GrowthMassive aid from U.S.

Free market economy

Manufactured goods is their leading export Automobiles, textiles, electronics.

Rapid industrialization has led to pollution in major cities.

Seoul, South Korea

Social life

Most live in cities

Confucian principles- respect for elders

Most marriages still arranged.

North Korea TodayClosed society

Communist dictatorship

Kim Il Sung (1948-1994)

Built a totalitarian state.

Propaganda taught North Koreans to obey the “Great Leader.”

Taught and practiced juche- self-reliance Does not trade with other countries. Build up industry for N. Korean use only

Kim Jong IlMade similar reforms as his father

Increased manufacturing and industry

Standard of living much lower than South Korea

Kim Jong Un- Present

ProblemsNo basic rights for citizens

No outside help

One party system, command economy

Famine

Nuclear Weapons

Distrust of the South

Selling of weapons to terrorist organizations.

North Korea at Night