Japan was the first country to have formerly been subject to Western Imperialism and have imperial powers over another territory. Japan had strong ideas of Social Darwinism much like other imperialistic countries and wanted to expand as fast as possible. The very new country was still subject to racism from Western world powers such as Britain and France. Imperial expansion was Japan's last chance to gain any respect, power, and immigration in the harsh world. Korea was the perfect place to start. Unfortunately for Japan, China and Russia also had their eyes on the land, and it was a constant battle between the three countries. Finally, Japan was happy with the land they had and began their imperialism on the Korean people.
Koreans had mixed feelings about their new classification as a Japanese colony. On one hand, Japanese rule was incredibly harsh. From about 1910 when Japan first took over to 1919, Japan ruled directly with their military. Any disagreement muttered from Korean mouths was quickly punished with severe measures. After a nationwide protest on March 1st, 1919, Japan loosened its grip, allowing for a limited amount of Korean expression.
Adverse to the strict ruling, the colony imperialism was rapidly modernizing Korea. During the 35-year rule, Korea saw incredible urban growth, established trade routes, and gained aspects of modern culture such as radio and motion picture technology. Korea industrialized but more to enrich Japan's war effort instead of improving the quality of Korea. Koreans were forced to work in Japanese factories, fight as Japanese soldiers, and thousands of Korean women were drafted to work as "comforters" for Japanese soldiers as sex slaves. In 1939, 80% of Koreans were even pressured so heavily by Japan that they changed their names to Japanese names.
The surrender of Japan to the Allies at the end of World War II brought peace after the fighting as well as extreme confusion. Korea was divided between the Soviet Union and America with two separate and feuding governments, both claiming they were the right government to rule all of Korea. The Northern half of Korea invaded the Southern half. After many years of bloody fighting, two separate countries were established, giving us modern day North and South Korea.
Adverse to the strict ruling, the colony imperialism was rapidly modernizing Korea. During the 35-year rule, Korea saw incredible urban growth, established trade routes, and gained aspects of modern culture such as radio and motion picture technology. Korea industrialized but more to enrich Japan's war effort instead of improving the quality of Korea. Koreans were forced to work in Japanese factories, fight as Japanese soldiers, and thousands of Korean women were drafted to work as "comforters" for Japanese soldiers as sex slaves. In 1939, 80% of Koreans were even pressured so heavily by Japan that they changed their names to Japanese names.
The surrender of Japan to the Allies at the end of World War II brought peace after the fighting as well as extreme confusion. Korea was divided between the Soviet Union and America with two separate and feuding governments, both claiming they were the right government to rule all of Korea. The Northern half of Korea invaded the Southern half. After many years of bloody fighting, two separate countries were established, giving us modern day North and South Korea.
Sources:
"World History." World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2015. <http://dresnerworld.edublogs.org/resources/handouts/korea-1872-1953/>.
"Japanese Imperialism." Japanese Imperialism. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2015. <http://www.indiana.edu/~hisdcl/G369_2002/japanese_imperialism.htm>.
"20th CENTURY: Korea as a Colony of Japan, 1910-1945 | Central Themes and Key Points | Asia for Educators | Columbia University." 20th CENTURY: Korea as a Colony of Japan, 1910-1945 | Central Themes and Key Points | Asia for Educators | Columbia University. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2015. <http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/kpct/kp_koreaimperialism.htm>.
"World History." World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2015. <http://dresnerworld.edublogs.org/resources/handouts/korea-1872-1953/>.
"Japanese Imperialism." Japanese Imperialism. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2015. <http://www.indiana.edu/~hisdcl/G369_2002/japanese_imperialism.htm>.
"20th CENTURY: Korea as a Colony of Japan, 1910-1945 | Central Themes and Key Points | Asia for Educators | Columbia University." 20th CENTURY: Korea as a Colony of Japan, 1910-1945 | Central Themes and Key Points | Asia for Educators | Columbia University. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2015. <http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/kpct/kp_koreaimperialism.htm>.