Different Colonization of Korea.

Let's say that there was no Meiji Restoration. without Imperial Japan, who will take Korea? how will Korea look like?


obvious candidates in my mind:


Russia(obviously)

Britain(wary of Russia)

USA(maybe)

France(not sure about this)
 
What about an independent Korea? A Chinese Korea?

Korea was, until the turn of the 20th century, a Chinese client state. In the years and centuries previous, there had been attempts at taking over the peninsula by the mainlanders, but they all eventually failed, so the holders of the Dragon Throne in the Forbidden City decided it simply would be best to let Korea remain independent as long as the proper tribute was given to China.
 
American Korea prior to any sort of Cold War would be very interesting.

That could be screwed like other suitors, if another power take 'free ports' or such in Japan...

BTW, in this scenario, who have interest in Japan then, one way or other?
 
Probally Russia after a war/forced treaty with China.
Though one TL I considered writing once (very briefly, then I realised I know nought of Korea) was around how before the Russo-Japanese war Korea seemed to be sort of Meijing itself...
 
While the obvious choice seems to be Russia, I think that's only true through the lens of our 20th century's distortions. Even IOTL the French sent an expedition to Korea in 1866, and the Americans in 1871. Either one of those could have gone very differently.
 
Ironicaly, could that lead later to a 'joint' or purely 'Free Korea' invasion of *Japan* in the future?

Well given the fact that Korea was just as isolationist as Japan in the 19th Century it could have been Meiji-ed and become fully independent from the relatively weak Qing China. Maybe even analoging Japan and invading Manchuria and such...
 
Aside from Russia, who fought and lost a war with Japan IOTL over the very matter, the following are the most likely to colonize Korea to any degree;


France:
They fought a short war with Korea IOTL, and the French were willing to colonize areas with largish populations, so that would'nt be an issue for them.

America:
Like France America got into a short shooting war with Korea in the 19th century, however it's very, very unlikely that America would try to actually colonize it, rather we'd likely try to get some legation territories (IE small cities, or part of larger ones) with the most we'd probably go after would be Jeju island.

Germany:
While Germany was late to get into the colonial game (due to Bismarcks anti-colonialism), I think it's in the realm of possibility that they could go after Korea given the right circumstances, though it's likely they'd turn most of it into a protectorate and only actually annex/turn into colonies that less populated, strategic or resource-rich areas.

Britain:
Britain really does'nt have alot of incentive to colonize Korea, since it would'nt normally be worth it, however if a situation develops where the other powers have managed to colonize/establish protectorates over Manchuria, Shandong and Japan (or Japan just does'nt like the British) then I could see them taking it to ensure they are'nt completely left out of Northern China.
 
Well given the fact that Korea was just as isolationist as Japan in the 19th Century it could have been Meiji-ed and become fully independent from the relatively weak Qing China. Maybe even analoging Japan and invading Manchuria and such...

I wonder if a korean fascist leader would have started a war later with japan to 'avenge Korea from Imijin' amongst more prosaic reasons of geopolitics..
 
Well given the fact that Korea was just as isolationist as Japan in the 19th Century it could have been Meiji-ed and become fully independent from the relatively weak Qing China. Maybe even analoging Japan and invading Manchuria and such...

I would argue that Korea was much more isolationist than Japan from the 17th to mid-19th century. Japan had at least some trade going on, and 'Dutch Learning' meant that Japan was able to keep up with European science and knowledge, though as an obscure science. Korea was much more perfectly isolated.

Korea could have Meiji-ed, but they have a disadvantage compared to Japan. Still, you are right that a Meiji Korea would likely push into Manchuria.
 
I have not real knowledges of this era for Korea, but Japan was less isolated a bit than we usualy think; there was also korean and chinese traders allowed, and there is the Ryukyu Kingdom, who got conquered...

Did Korea kept links to China in the period you speak of? Trade?
 
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I am quite proud that the Lakans in Manila or the rulers of Mayi never made tribute to China and never became a client state to china like what Sulu and Korea did..;)
 
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