causes of the rebellion
- Start of Donghak
- -In the 1860s, an indigenous religion, donghak (동학, 東學,Eastern Learning), arose from the lower classes of theyangban, which were the Korean aristocratic ruling class. This new philosophy combined various aspects of Confucianism, Shamanism, and Taoism as well as Buddhism. This was a show of opposition to the growing threat of Japanese oppression as well as Western influence.
- -Donghak was not only a religious movement, but also a social movement as well. Many initial supporters were concerned with reforming the corrupt government, and many such efforts were carried out. Efforts to improve peasants' conditions, promote education, social justice, and national independence were carried out by followers of Donghak.
- -The key philosophy of Donghak, 인내천, or 'man is god,' promoted the dignity and equality of all men and was an influence to later Korean democratize movements.
DIRECT CAUSE
In 1892, the newly appointed magistrate of Gobu County (South Jeonla Province), Cho Byeong-gab, enforced tax on irrigation water from the Manseokbo reservoir. Prior to the taxation, he had already ordered the villagers to construct a new reservoir upriver from the first one.
The tax imposed on the water was around 700 seoks (1 seok = 144kg of rice). Cho was known for his tyranny, and when petitions failed, enraged peasants stormed the Gobu administrative building, headed by the regional Donghak parish, Chun Bong-jun. |
INDIRECT CAUSES AND POLITICAL SITUATION
Prior to the storming of Gobu, political unrest was growing due to increased Japanese interference in Korean matters. Japan eliminated Chinese trade with Korea, as well as send infiltrators and spies to various governmental organizations in order to extend control over Korea. The goal was to cause infighting within the Korean ruling class and create a political vacuum in which Japan could colonize Korea.
The Japanese harmed the economy as well. The unequal treaty, the Treaty of Ganghwa, forcibly opened Korean ports to the Japanese, with almost no tariffs or taxation on imports. The traditional Korean farming economy was threatened by cheap Japanese food products. |