Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Tonghak Uprising

 
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Tonghak Uprising
Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Britannica Concise Encyclopedia

(1894) Korean peasant rebellion that sparked the Sino-Japanese War. Despite being persecuted for it, impoverished peasants turned increasingly to Tonghak ("Eastern Learning"; see Ch'ondogyo), a syncretic, nationalistic religion that opposed Western culture and espoused equality of all people. When demonstrations staged by Tonghak followers calling for social reform met with a negative government response, the peasantry united with them in a rebellion that succeeded in defeating government troops in southern Korea. The government called on China for aid; Japan sent in troops without being asked, and China and Japan clashed. The rebels laid down their arms to defuse tensions; nevertheless, the Sino-Japanese War ensued. The leaders of the uprising, including Ch'oe Si-hyong, were executed.

For more information on Tonghak Uprising, visit Britannica.com.

Search unanswered questions...

Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more