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The Official Reports of The Envoys and Political Effects in the 17th Century

  • The Review of Korean History
  • 2012, (106), pp.141-173
  • Publisher : The Historical Society Of Korea
  • Research Area : Humanities > History

Kim Chang Su 1

1서울시립대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The period from Byungjahoran(丙子胡亂, 1637) to the 1680s has an important meaning in the relations between Joseon(朝鮮) dynasty and Chi’ng (淸) dynasty because of the following reasons. First of all, ties between the two nations were formed in those days. The attitudes built up at this time not only reflected the historical situation of those days but also had effects on the circumstances afterwards. Next, the situation in the center of China was uncertain. Historically, the flexibility of the central district of the nation had been likely to cause political discord between politicians in Joseon. The previous studies on Ch’ing dynasty haven’t deeply dealt with 17th century after Byungjahoran, or they have looked over ‘the uncertainty’ of foreign information in the premodern period. This study analyzes the tendency of the reports which were written by the envoys of Joseon who had been to the Ch’ing(對淸使臣), and investigates the impacts of their information on Joseon, while focusing on the ‘historical variables’ related with the envoys. This study observes the period from 1637 after Byungjahoran to 1685 in which Koxinga(鄭成功)’s grandson surrendered to Ch’ing dynasty. Though Ch’ing had been building up the control over the center of China after it held Peking under its control, the envoys in Ch’ing consistently reported the possibility of Ch’ing’s collapse. In 1673, Ch’ing was trembled again by the rebellion of Three Feudatories, and the expectation of Ch’ing’s collapse amplified the inaccuracy of information. The envoys of Joseon emphasized the victory of Wu Sangui(吳三桂) even when the rebellion was defeated, or contended that Ch’ing remained in adversity. Lack of accurate information even made it possible for people in Joseon to believe that Taiwan would invade Joseon. This thesis focuses on political history. However, suggesting more precise view of history through the understanding of Ch’ing will be possible with the study of history of thought. It is also important to investigate how Joseon intelligent formed foreign awareness and how they displayed their knowledge in diplomatic situation. These will make clear the historical meaning of foreign awareness in late Joseon dynasty.

Citation status

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