A Study On The Relationship Between Qing Dynasty And Korea Before 1644

Korea was an important vassal state of Ming Dynasty, and Later Jin was a minority nationality regime under Ming's domination. As Later Jin became more and more powerful, it speeded up contending for the supreme power with Ming Dynasty.Because of the corruption of Late Ming Dynasty, the country came to a full-scale crisis. The Later Jin was a sudden rising of a new force, it contended fiercely with Ming in the northeast area. Therefore, the two sides actively showed their friendliness to Korea. Considering of the suzerain-vassal relationship, Ming made Korea a significant part of the strategy of the Northeast area, and demanded that Korea be faithful. The Later King's power is increasing, and it carried out a series measures which included good-neighborliness, military attack, and political lure, so Korea surrendered at last. In this progress, Korea was faithful with Ming, but it eventually gave in for the military pressure of Later Jin.The first part of this paper discusses the history of Nvzhen nationality which was the forerunner of Later Jin regime or Qing Dynasty. In the early period, the Nvzhen people lived hardly under the three powers of Ming, Korea and Mongolia. As a vassal state of Ming, Korea was obedient, and Ming also trusted Korea. Ming did not interfere in Korea's control of Nvzhen, but dominate the Nvzhen tribes with Korea together. Afterwards, because Korea had the plan to dominate Nvzhen by itself, Ming adjusted its policy and strengthened its control towards Nvzhen. As a local nationalistic regime, the nature of Nvzhen tribe changed by degrees from slavery to feudalism. They constantly learned advanced technology and various institutions from Ming and Korea, and developed commercial communication with the two sides. As a result, the Nvzhen tribes especially Jianzhou Nvzhen made great advance in economy, politics and military. Ultimately, Nuerhachi, leader of Jianzhou Nvzhen, unified the tribes and founded the promising Later Jin.The second part expounded the process of the relationship between Later Jin and Korea. In the 1590s, the anti-Japan war broke out. Ming and Korea were too greatly depleted to strength their control of the northeast area, and Later Jin developed fast during this period. Before long, it made an overwhelming victory against Ming in the battle of Sarhu, and was then in a dominant position against Ming Dynasty. In order to conquer Korea, Later Jin successively started the war of 1627 and 1636. Finally, Later Jin established the suzerain-vassal relationship with Korea. Using both carrot and stick, Huangtaiji consolidated the relations with Korea, and made Korea the rear service base for attacking Ming.The third part was about the position of Shandong peninsula in the Relationship among Ming, Qing Dynasty and Korea. During the last half part of Ming Dynasty, Shandong peninsula, whose geographic position was advantageous, played three roles: a rear service base in the war of 1592, a harbor for giving material assistance to Liaodong by sea, and a bridge for attacking Later Jin with Korea. And as the introducing of Dutch cannons and the establishment of Dengzhou firearm battalion, Dengzhou became an important military city. At this time, Deng-lai area gradually became a prosperous port through military and commercial communication with Korea. Furthermore, Sino-Korea diplomatic envoys frequently contacted in this area, so Shandong became an important window for the spreading of western knowledge from Korea. However, the rebellion of Kong You-de and Qing's invasion of Shandong severely weakened the defense power of Shandong, and Korea lost the confidence of Ming Dynasty.The fourth part summarizes gains and losses as well as experiences and lessons of Ming, Qing and Korea in the wars, analyses the different tactics of the three sides in the wars. Later Jin or Qing varied its strategies with different circumstances, and made Korea give in at last. Solid foundation for coming to the central plains was then made. In the end, the essential position of Shandong peninsula in the relations of Ming, Qing and Korea is pointed out.