Japanese control of Korea
The Japanese control over Korea started quite a long time ago and only ended less than a century ago. Beginning in 1876, Japan forced a trade agreement between them and Korea, which eventually led to the Japanese annexation of the country in 1905. During the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905), Japanese forces moved onto the Korean peninsula, even though Korea declared themselves neutral, the two countries signed the Japan-Korea protection treaty in 1905. In 1910, a Korean royal proclamation announced the annexation by Japan, which made the Japanese control official. This treaty between the countries gave Japan complete and utter control over Korea. During this time, Japan was eager to root out all elements of Korean culture and thinking from society. Such as the Koreans being forced to adopt Japanese names, convert to Shinto (Japanese religion), as well as being forbidden to use Korean language in schools and business. As Japan began to gain more control over Korea, an important Independence Movement that took place on March 1st, 1919 in the capital of Seoul, which soon spread throughout the country. This movement was finally repressed 12 months later, and in the end about 2,000,000 Koreans had participated in this movement, about 7,000 participants were killed by Japanese forces and police force, and roughly 16,000 people were wounded during this 12 month stretch. Despite this movement being a failed attempt at national freedom, it showed the people that they were all willing to unite as one and fight for their rights and freedom. The harsh life for Koreans did not end there, during World War 2 Japan was able to run off of Korea’s land and its people. Japan drafted Korean’s and forced them to serve in the Japanese military, as well as using their resources for their own uses. This hell ended in August 1945 when Japan lost World War 2, this finally meant that Korea was a free nation, in terms of not being controlled by a more powerful nation. In the end, this country got what it asked for, which was to be free. Despite the country having conflicts in the future about their government and economy, they are now able to make their own choices to better the lives of their citizens.
Written by: Abel Ramirez