1. MAIN CAUSE
 The Tonghak Rebellion (1894-1895)
Ancillary Causes
 Japanese aggression toward Chinese in Korea
 Japanese desire for a unified, and modern
Asia

2. The Tonghak Rebellion (1894-1895)
The Tonghak Rebellion took it’s name from the teachings of
Ch’oe Che-u. A demonstration by 20,000 Tonghak in
1893, in front of the royal palace in Seoul gives the first
clues to peasant disapproval of the Korean government,
specifically the yangban’s involvement with foreign
powers. This sentiment against the government allowed
Chon Pong-jun, leader of the Tonghak Parish in Kobu
county, to take action. After the Korean government
reacted to the action taken by the rebels in Kobu
(dispersion of tax collected rice to peasants, seizure of
weapons, and the taking of the county office) the
Tonghaks released a call to arms among the peasantry
of Korea. The rebellion achieved multiple early victories,
and with each victory, their numbers increased. The
Korean government quickly called for military aid from
Yuan Shi-kai and the Chinese.

3. Japanese Aggression
Via the Tientsin Convention of April 18, 1885, the
“recognition of an equal right for Japan with
China to send in troops in the case of
necessity,” was achieved. When China
informed Japan of her intention to aid in the
suppression of the Tonghak Rebellion, the Meiji
court offered Japanese assistance. China
declined, and the Japanese decided to send
their troops to the Korean peninsula anyway.
The Japanese chose to attack Chinese forces
without a formal declaration of war, thus starting
the first Sino-Japanese War.
Payson J. Treat, “China and Korea, 1885-1894,” Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 49,
No. 4 (Dec., 1934): 506-543, JSTOR (accessed April 15, 2010).

4. The Japanese Agenda?
The Japanese absolutely had ulterior motives in taking part
in the first Sino-Japanese war. As a recently
modernized nation, they clearly desired to gain the
respect of the western powers, however, the reputation
of the East Asians was one of a weak and inferior
people who presented no threat to the western powers.
Perhaps the Japanese took it upon themselves to
civilize both China and Korea, through warfare, in an
effort to unify a modern East Asia, similar to Europe. To
further this argument, the Japanese feared foreign
control over Korea, which functioned as a “dagger
pointing at the heart of Japan.” If the fellow East Asian
nations were as weak as the foreigners viewed them,
then the western powers would have no trouble taking
the “dagger” and imposing their will upon Japan.

5. Tonghak
Tonghak, and indigenous Korean religion,
emerged in the 1860’s under the guidance of
Ch’oe Che-u. Che-u’s teachings were based
on “the main religious or philosophical ideas of
Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Korean
spirit worship, plus some limited Christian
aspects.” These teachings were focused
toward the fair treatment of peasant farmers.
Robert A. Kinney, “Students, Intellectuals, and the Churches: Their Roles in Korean Politics,” Asian
Affairs, Vol. 8, No. 3 (Jan. - Feb., 1981): 180-195, JSTOR (accessed April 15, 2010).

6. Tonghak Call to Arms
 The people are the root of the nation. If the root withers, the nation
will be enfeebled. Heedless of their responsibility for sustaining the
state and pro-viding for its people, the officials build lavish
residences in the countryside, scheming to ensure their own well-
being at the expense of the resources of the nation. How can this
be viewed as proper? We are wretched village people far from the
capital, yet we feed and clothe ourselves with the bounty from the
sovereign's land. We cannot sit by and watch our nation perish. The
whole nation is as one, its multitudes united in their determination to
raise the right-eous standard of revolt, and to pledge their lives to
sustain the state and provide for the livelihood of the people.
However startling the action we take today may seem, you must not
be troubled by it. For as we felicitously live out the tranquil years
ahead, each man secure in his occupation - when all the people can
enjoy the blessings of benevolent kingly rule, how immeasurably
joyful will we be!
Korean History.info, “The Tonghak (Donghak) Rebellion, 1894,”
http://koreanhistory.info/Tonghak.htm (accessed April 15, 2010).