WI US Occupied Gangwha Island after 1871 Expedition

This is something I'm thinking of incorporating into my ongoing TL:

In 1871, the US had a little rout with the Joseon in trying to establish diplomatic relations that ended in failure, despite having a pretty one sided victory.

What if, following the "battle", the US decided to occupy the island? They may have, initially, only the smallest demand that the island be returned only when diplomatic relations are established with which the Koreans can ask for it.
 
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That's a pretty interesting one. I'd imagine the US would be marginally more involved in the opening of the Far East (more so than it was OTL). Maybe they'd get involved in the Sino-Japanese War or Ruso-Japanese War, both of which were over Korea/Manchuria and an island full of western troops and infrastructure would have made quite a difference...
 
Interesting points, Roberto -- though this opens an interesting divergence from the PoD, which is How does the Joseon dynasty react to the ultimatum -- do they open, as Japan did, or do they allow the US to establish a base on a nearby island?
 
Here's another thought -- let's say the Joseon go the later route, keep their isolation policy, and the US has occupies an island just a few miles off shore. How's that going to play out? Seems, in practice, to make cultural isolation at least very difficult...
 
I think that they're more likely to end their isolation policy in preference for giving up the island, but if they did give up the island it would probably lead to the end of the isolation policy anyway. If the UH has a presence in the region they may come to blows with the Qing (as happened when Japan meddled in Korea in OTL). A Sino-American war in the 1880's or 90's could be interesting indeed.

The late Joseon era was characterised by the struggle between the regent Daewongun (who was an isolationist, and later in life pro-Japanese) and the willful Queen Myeongseong, the first wife of King Gojong. Things could get quite complicated, as the Japanese, Chinese and Russians all have interests on the peninsula. Throwing the Americans in the mix early would stir things up even more.
 
If the UH has a presence in the region they may come to blows with the Qing (as happened when Japan meddled in Korea in OTL). A Sino-American war in the 1880's or 90's could be interesting indeed.

It would be... but somehow I doubt it; the US military going to war with the largest nation on earth is no small matter.

Things could get quite complicated, as the Japanese, Chinese and Russians all have interests on the peninsula. Throwing the Americans in the mix early would stir things up even more.

OTOH, a greater diplomatic presence makes a certain amount of sense... :rolleyes:
 
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