Kings of Korea
1849-1868: Cheoljong
-faced with China's Wars > Transition from Qing to Bai (1854-63)
-in its wake continues status and tries best to stay neutral
-maintains good relations, embassies, in both Nanjing and Mukden but especially the latter
-engages in tepid modernization efforts but hamstrung by Confucian opposition
-due to Heads of China > 1858-1888 Mingzhi Emperor being anti-Confucian
-and faced with constant border crossing by Russian troops
1868-1876: Gojong
-entry to power is filled with dispute
-in its wake Heads of Russia > 1837-1898 Michael II, or rather troops under him with minimal orders, invade Korea
-increases in scope with Trans-Siberian Railroad bringing Russian troops
-against Russian troops tries to overthrow them
-fails
-Russian troops culminate in forcing Gojong to resign and flee to Bai China
1876-1899: Sunjong
-practically a Russian puppet
-resident placed and despite palace coups which turn into rebellions Russia remains in charge
-and was king since he was 2
-rebellions against this crushed with increasing brutality by Russian troops called
-with Russo-Chinese War (1893-9) rising neo-Confucian movement rises in magnitude
-a peasant rebellion that's both anti-feudal and anti-foreign
-culminates with Sunjong overthrown and forced to flee the country
-and Joseon dynasty comes to an end
1899-1901: Sihyeon
-peasant rebel leader
-of the last name Jeong in keeping with Jeonngamnok
-leader of a movement against Russian imperialism and western ideas
-given coronation which marks the end of the Joseon dynasty
-with China's Wars > Xinchou Revolution (1901) concludes China's unstable and seeks to impose sovereignty
Emperors of Korea
1901-1933: Gwangseo Emperor
-Sihyeon gives himself new name to represent his imperial name
-as Lee Cheng-chang strengthens his power he is increasingly worried China will encroach on him
1933-1943: Uimin Emperor
-mass protest as part of wave of revolutions kicked off by China's Wars > Renwu Revolution (1941-3)
-forced to resign afterwards
1943-1987: Hoeun Emperor
-grants Korea a representative constitution