This is my first attempt at a timeline. Any comments will be greatly appreciated.
Korean Empire
(This is a map of Goguryeo at its height around Gwanggaeto's time.)
In most ATL situations, Korea is taken over by China, Japan, or Russia. This timeline intends to reverse these scenarios and attempt to create a world in which Korea is more dominant, resulting in drastic consequences.
In OTL, Korea was founded as Gojoseon in 2333 BC, and lasted until 108 BC, making it one of the longest-lived kingdoms. During the first half of the first millennium, Korea was divided into three (technically four) kingdoms, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Gaya, a minor one. The first managed to dominate what is now southern and eastern Manchuria, the Liaodong peninsula, and the northern Korean peninsula, but never managed to unite the country as a whole. As a whole, Silla, which was considered one of the weaker kingdoms, managed to gain the upper hand and conquer the southern part, although another kingdom, Balhae, was eventually set up on the former territory of Goguryeo and even expanded further beyond.
Goguryeo was at its height under Gwanggaeto the Great, only one of the two greats in Korean history, who managed to greatly expand its territory, yet died relatively young in his 30's. As a result, comparisons are often made with Alexander the Great, who also died young and managed to enlarge his empire.
Although Gwanggaeto never became an emperor, he managed to create similar titles to Chinese ones, and elevated the status of the kingdom.
Gwanggaeto ruled after Han fragmented to China's version of the Three Kingdoms, and managed to take advantage of Baekje, which was also a powerful state in its own right, claiming the left lower portion of the Korean peninsula and also some lands in the Liaodong Peninsula. However, with Goguryeo's intervention, it reduced Baekje's status to that of a vassal state, and never managed to reclaim its former glory.
So, now to ATL.
Gwanggaeto died in 419 at 39 of a disease, possibly from participating in numerous battles. However, what would have happened if he had lived longer, possibly to an age of 61?
Some things to expect: first, Japan would possibly have been invaded, eliminating them as an immediate threat, China might have been conquered up to the Hwang He or the Yangtze, the Mongolians might have been greatly reduced, and the Qing might not have existed.
Most importantly, Korea would have taken a role similar to Japan in the 20th century, and might have gained more territory as a result of not practicing Shintoism, which preaches obedience to the emperor, and probably less of a military attitude because of having strong ties to Confucianism and Buddhism.
Finally, now with the story:
Gwanggaeto sat in his palace, contemplating the scenery around him.
“What a nice day,” he said to himself, having sat on the throne for five years since 391. “What can I do to avenge Baekje, which stubbornly refuses to bow down to my control, although considering that since both of our kingdoms were descended from King Dongmyeong [1], we would obviously be similar in our attitudes. Of course, Silla is out of the question.
His thoughts were hastily interrupted when a servant brought him urgent news.
“Sir! Baekje is planning to invade with Japanese soldiers! They're almost upon us!”
“Baekje? Well, they're being unreasonable again,” he muttered to himself. “Why do they have to come with the Japanese, when they're not even related to us? They're so foolish to consider coming by themselves alone because they're so weak? Well, we'll show them!”
“Spread the message among the soldiers,” he commanded aloud. “I'll be on the battlefield soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Baekje's attack would force Gwanggaeto to change his plans for the overall campaigns. He was beginning to grow tired of their failed attempts to get back at his superior conquests, although they had been much more powerful a few decades ago [2]. It seemed as if Goguryeo was coming back from its unprecedented downfall.
It didn't take long for the troops to be assembled, but Gwanggaeto had another plan.
“Well, considering that we already have a superior navy that is prepared and well-equipped, why don't we use it?”
This had great approval from the soldiers, especially because it was so creative. Although Baekje was close to water, they would never think of a naval invasion.
So Goguryeo quickly and efficiently gathered its forces, preparing for the upcoming battle.
Gwanggaeto had already taken control of Wiryeseong [3], Baekje’s capital, and 10 fortresses, and also had invaded and conquered the Khitan, which was located in Manchuria.
As the troops prepared to sail off to encounter their enemies, Gwanggaeto stared off into the water. He thought about the wars that he had both started and had been imposed upon him, and realized that there would be more to come. Although China was divided into three kingdoms, it was still considered the dominant power in Asia, and he would have to work extremely hard to change that situation.
It didn’t take long for the ships to arrive at Baekje, and they also landed in the dark, to their advantage.
The king quickly massed his troops, and led them forward.
“Charge!”
[1] The founder of Goguryeo in 37 BC.
[2] King Gogugwon had died in battle against Baekje in 371.
[3] Modern-day Seoul.
So, what do you think?
Korean Empire
(This is a map of Goguryeo at its height around Gwanggaeto's time.)
In most ATL situations, Korea is taken over by China, Japan, or Russia. This timeline intends to reverse these scenarios and attempt to create a world in which Korea is more dominant, resulting in drastic consequences.
In OTL, Korea was founded as Gojoseon in 2333 BC, and lasted until 108 BC, making it one of the longest-lived kingdoms. During the first half of the first millennium, Korea was divided into three (technically four) kingdoms, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Gaya, a minor one. The first managed to dominate what is now southern and eastern Manchuria, the Liaodong peninsula, and the northern Korean peninsula, but never managed to unite the country as a whole. As a whole, Silla, which was considered one of the weaker kingdoms, managed to gain the upper hand and conquer the southern part, although another kingdom, Balhae, was eventually set up on the former territory of Goguryeo and even expanded further beyond.
Goguryeo was at its height under Gwanggaeto the Great, only one of the two greats in Korean history, who managed to greatly expand its territory, yet died relatively young in his 30's. As a result, comparisons are often made with Alexander the Great, who also died young and managed to enlarge his empire.
Although Gwanggaeto never became an emperor, he managed to create similar titles to Chinese ones, and elevated the status of the kingdom.
Gwanggaeto ruled after Han fragmented to China's version of the Three Kingdoms, and managed to take advantage of Baekje, which was also a powerful state in its own right, claiming the left lower portion of the Korean peninsula and also some lands in the Liaodong Peninsula. However, with Goguryeo's intervention, it reduced Baekje's status to that of a vassal state, and never managed to reclaim its former glory.
So, now to ATL.
Gwanggaeto died in 419 at 39 of a disease, possibly from participating in numerous battles. However, what would have happened if he had lived longer, possibly to an age of 61?
Some things to expect: first, Japan would possibly have been invaded, eliminating them as an immediate threat, China might have been conquered up to the Hwang He or the Yangtze, the Mongolians might have been greatly reduced, and the Qing might not have existed.
Most importantly, Korea would have taken a role similar to Japan in the 20th century, and might have gained more territory as a result of not practicing Shintoism, which preaches obedience to the emperor, and probably less of a military attitude because of having strong ties to Confucianism and Buddhism.
Finally, now with the story:
Gwanggaeto sat in his palace, contemplating the scenery around him.
“What a nice day,” he said to himself, having sat on the throne for five years since 391. “What can I do to avenge Baekje, which stubbornly refuses to bow down to my control, although considering that since both of our kingdoms were descended from King Dongmyeong [1], we would obviously be similar in our attitudes. Of course, Silla is out of the question.
His thoughts were hastily interrupted when a servant brought him urgent news.
“Sir! Baekje is planning to invade with Japanese soldiers! They're almost upon us!”
“Baekje? Well, they're being unreasonable again,” he muttered to himself. “Why do they have to come with the Japanese, when they're not even related to us? They're so foolish to consider coming by themselves alone because they're so weak? Well, we'll show them!”
“Spread the message among the soldiers,” he commanded aloud. “I'll be on the battlefield soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Baekje's attack would force Gwanggaeto to change his plans for the overall campaigns. He was beginning to grow tired of their failed attempts to get back at his superior conquests, although they had been much more powerful a few decades ago [2]. It seemed as if Goguryeo was coming back from its unprecedented downfall.
It didn't take long for the troops to be assembled, but Gwanggaeto had another plan.
“Well, considering that we already have a superior navy that is prepared and well-equipped, why don't we use it?”
This had great approval from the soldiers, especially because it was so creative. Although Baekje was close to water, they would never think of a naval invasion.
So Goguryeo quickly and efficiently gathered its forces, preparing for the upcoming battle.
Gwanggaeto had already taken control of Wiryeseong [3], Baekje’s capital, and 10 fortresses, and also had invaded and conquered the Khitan, which was located in Manchuria.
As the troops prepared to sail off to encounter their enemies, Gwanggaeto stared off into the water. He thought about the wars that he had both started and had been imposed upon him, and realized that there would be more to come. Although China was divided into three kingdoms, it was still considered the dominant power in Asia, and he would have to work extremely hard to change that situation.
It didn’t take long for the ships to arrive at Baekje, and they also landed in the dark, to their advantage.
The king quickly massed his troops, and led them forward.
“Charge!”
[1] The founder of Goguryeo in 37 BC.
[2] King Gogugwon had died in battle against Baekje in 371.
[3] Modern-day Seoul.
So, what do you think?
