|
|
|
|
|
Korean NationalismOrigin The origin of Korean nationalism can be dated back to the years of Japanese rule. The Tonghak (East Learning) peasant movement began from 1860 could be seen as an incipient form of modern nationalism. The old Korean government and corrupt landed gentry were subservient alternatingly to China, Russia and Japan. The Tonghak intent was to destroy the corrupt old Korean government and drive the foreign powers from Korean soil. However, the Tonghak movement was deafted by both the old Korean government and the Japanese forces and its failure to modernize the old Korea paved the way of Japanese colonialism. Objective The central objective of the nationalist movement was not so much a rejection of Westernization, but the advancement of national identity. Hence, its primary objective was to achieve independence from Japan. In order to obtain political autonomy, it first had to promote Korea's cultural independence. For this reason, the nationalist movement demanded the preservation and restoration of Korea's traditional culture. Korea's ancient culture and national identity reappeared and became the central forces in the struggle against the occupation. Within this context, it emphasized the sacred character of Korean culture and sought to advance Korean studies. Korean nationalists made all efforts to imbue the Korean people with a sense of national identity and patriotism by using the Korean alphabet (hangul; 한글) and by teaching Korean history at all levels in the newly organized modern schools and by promoting awareness of Korean culture's unique identity. Key spokesmen for this movement were Shin Cha'e-ho (1880-1936), who promoted an enlightened, nationalistic perspective within historical studies, and Chu Shi-gyong, who promoted Korean language studies. Colonial Period The colonial period brought forth an entirely new set of Korean political leaders, spawned by the resistance to Japanese colonialism. Drawing on Woodrow Wilson's promises of self-determination, on March 1, 1919, a group of thirty-three intellectuals petitioned for independence from Japan and touched off nationwide mass protests that continued for months. These protests were put down fiercely by the Japanese, causing many younger Koreans to become militant opponents of colonial rule. The year was a watershed for imperialism in Korea: the leaders of the movement were moderate intellectuals and students who sought independence through nonviolent means and support from progressive elements in the West. Their courageous witness and the nationwide demonstrations that they provoked remained a touchstone of Korean nationalism. The failure of the movement stimulated radical forms of anticolonial resistance. In the 1930s, new groups of armed resisters, bureaucrats, and--for the first time--military leaders emerged. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, the Korean nationalists carried on anti-Japan independence struggles in Korea, Manchuria, China and Russia. They formed 'governments in exile', armies, secret terrorists groups and fought the Japanese colonialism. External link
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|