Primary Sources
The death penalty, corporal punishment, and open prostitution shall be abolished. Within one year following the recovery of the national land, the provisional government shall convene a national assembly.
What is the "Provisional Constitution of the Korean Republic?"
This leader ruled South Korea for most of the 1950s and was forced from office after mass protests. During his rule, he consolidated power through authoritarian measures, including limiting political opposition and manipulating elections. In the 1960 election, he received 88.7% of the votes in the official tally.
Who is Syngman Rhee?
This war is the background of Hwang Sunwŏn's “Cranes.”
What is the Korean War?
This state-led rural modernization campaign took place in South Korea during the 1970s under the authoritarian developmental regime of Park Chung Hee. It aimed to reduce the urban–rural development gap by improving infrastructure, increasing agricultural productivity, and promoting community-based self-help projects in rural villages.
What is the Saemaeul Movement (New Village Movement)?
South Korea’s rapid economic growth, known as the “Miracle on the Han River,” was driven by state-led policies including export-oriented industrialization, Five-Year Economic Development Plans, and government support for large conglomerates such as Hyundai and Samsung. Which leader is associated with these policies? The large conglomerates are known as THIS in Korean.
Who is Park Chung-hee? What is chaebol?
The government has long treated Confucian scholars with great respect, and disciples of famous scholars in and out of government have established private academies (sowon) to honor their deceased masters. . . . As academies proliferated, they became a shelter for men of learning. At first they conducted only academic discussions on Confucian principles, but gradually matters of national politics came to be debated. When one spoke, others chimed in and a circular, called a “Confucian Memorandum” (yut’ong), would be issued to reach all parts of the country within scores of days.
What is “Pak Chehyŏng: Political Reforms of the Taewŏngun”?
This king's father served as regent and carried out sweeping political reforms in the 1860s to strengthen royal authority. His wife was assassinated in 1895 inside the royal palace.
Who is King Kojong?
This movement emerged in response to intensified assimilation policies during Japanese colonial rule. Activists, scholars, and educators sought to document folklore, standardize the Korean language, and preserve cultural practices despite censorship and repression.
What is the Protection of National Culture Movement?
The mass mobilization of the March First Movement contributed to the creation of this exile government based in Shanghai, which claimed to represent the Korean nation-state. What is this government, and in which year was it founded?
What is the Korean Provisional Government? When is 1919?
This South Korean military officer rose to power after a coup and ruled as head of the Fifth Republic, maintaining authoritarian control through military support and political repression. Who is this figure, and in which decade did he serve as president?
Who is Chun Doo Hwan? When is the 1980s?
Because of the factional strife, however, it has become customary that three candidates be considered for an official position and that the four factions be equitably represented by the three candidates. Scions of the four factions, even if they were unlettered, claimed aristocratic status for themselves and behaved arrogantly in their communities.
What is "Pak Chehyŏng: Political Reforms of the Taewŏngun?"
This figure rose to power in the late 1940s with Soviet support. His leadership promoted an ideology that emphasizes self-reliance, strong central leadership, and independence from foreign influence. Who is this figure, and what is his ideology?
Who is Kim Il-sung? What is juche?
THIS uprising is an unusual case of peasant rebellion, sparked by widespread social inequality, government corruption, heavy taxation, and resentment toward growing foreign influence in Korea. It was based on a new religious movement founded in 1860 by Ch’oe Che-u. After this incident, THESE two foreign nations became directly involved in Korean affairs, leading to increased diplomatic and military intervention on the peninsula.
What is the Tonghak Rebellion? What are Qing China and Japan?
This nationwide movement began after the death of student activist Park Jong-chul and intensified as authorities tried to suppress demands for constitutional reform and direct presidential elections. It became a decisive turning point in South Korea’s transition from military dictatorship to democratic governance, leading to the establishment of the Sixth Republic. What is this movement? In which year did it happen?
What is the "June 1987 Democratic Struggle?"
Taewǒn’gun put up granite slabs proclaiming: “Western barbarians invade our land. If you don't fight for Westerners' invasion, you'll surrender, so if you insist on surrender, you'll sell your country." What are these stones called, and in which decade were they erected?
What are the Anti-appeasement Steles? When is the 1860s?
We shall communicate to the people what the government does and convey the conditions of the people to the government, thereby benefitting both sides who need not feel uncomfortable or suspicious.
What is the "Inaugural Message of the Independent, April 7, 1896?"
This textile worker is best known for his self-immolation at the Peace Market, where he shouted that workers should not be treated as machines before his death, drawing national attention to poor labor conditions in South Korea’s export industries. Who is this figure, and in which year did he die?
Who is Chǒn T’aeil? When is 1970?
THIS organization was dissolved in THIS decade due to internal ideological conflicts and Japanese repression. It organized campaigns against economic exploitation, supported labor and student movements, and promoted Korean self-determination.
What is Sin’ganhoe (New Trunk Society)? When is the 1930s?
This uprising in a major southwestern city began with student-led protests against martial law imposed by a military government. It later became a powerful symbol of resistance against authoritarian rule and a key catalyst for South Korea’s democratization movement in the 1980s. What is this event, and in which month and year did it occur?
What is the "Gwangju Democratization Movement?" When is May 1980?
Which city is Qinlin from? Which city is Janice from? Which of the following did not happen in 1997?
1) Kim Young Sam became president
2) Death of Princess Diana
3) Debut of Harry Potter
4) Handover of Hong Kong
5) IMF Crisis
Where is Shanghai? Where is Hong Kong? What is "Kim Young Sam became president"?
They levied a land tax, house tax, poll tax, cattle tax, surtax, local tax, liquor and tobacco taxes, fertilizer tax, seed tax, business tax, sanitation tax, income tax, and others that were raised frequently and relentlessly, sucking away the last drop of our blood. Korean businessmen became mere intermediaries to sell Japanese products to Koreans but face eventual demise due to concentration of capital.
What is the "Sin Ch’aeho: Declaration of Korean Revolution?"
THIS student at THIS university was critically injured after being struck by a tear gas canister during a large-scale protest. His death sparked widespread public outrage across South Korea, intensified nationwide protests, and helped unify public support for democratic reform.
Who is Lee Han-yeol? What is Yonsei University?
This event was a major economic downturn that severely affected several East Asian economies. In South Korea, it led to a collapse of financial institutions, massive layoffs, and a severe currency devaluation. What is this event, and during which South Korean president’s rule and in what year did it occur?
What is the Asian Financial Crisis (or IMF crisis)? Who is Kim Young Sam? When is 1997?
This president led the “Real Name” reform in 1993, which ended the practice of opening financial accounts under false names (including aliases). He also required cabinet members to disclose their financial assets. In 1995, THIS president ordered the destruction of THIS building as part of THIS policy.
Who is Kim Young Sam? What is the Japanese General Government Building? What is “Making History Right?”
We have lectures in THIS room in THIS building. Recitations are in THIS room in THIS building.
Where is Moore 216? Where is Williams 301?