The Manchu-Korean war in 1636 : background and result

Abstract

It has been argued numerous times that Chosǒn's sinocentrism resulted in its anti-Qing and pro-Ming sentiment, which ultimately led to two humiliating defeats during the Jurchen-Korean war (1627) and Manchu-Korean war (1636). However, there are also some external reasons in need of further study. Using both Chinese and Korean primary sources, this thesis will examine the development of Chosǒn's hostility towards the Qing and nostalgia for the Ming years. It will also analyze the historical developments that fostered Chosǒn's anti-Qing and pr o-Ming sentiment from the perspective of Ming-Qing-Chosǒn relations from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century. These external influences, such as pre-existing perceptions of the "barbaric" Jurchens reflected from the border conflicts, the inevitability of the Manchu invasions of innocent Chosǒn, the Manchus excessive requests to Chosǒn after the wars and a sense of gratitude toward the Ming inculcated during the Imjin War had a profound influence on Chosǒn's sentiments. These points need to be examined to comprehensively understand the Manchu-Korean War and Sino-Korean relations in the seventeenth century.