The Influence of the Korean Independence Movement conducted in North America on the March First Movement and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea

Abstract

This paper examines how the March 1st Movement and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was affected by the Korean Independence Movement in the United States which started in the aftermath of World War I. Korean immigrants considered the victory of the United States in the war as a victory of democracy and believed that the future independent government of Korean should be modeled upon the American democratic system. This idea was delivered by Rhee Syng-man to Hyun-soon soon after he heard that a provisional government would be established in Shanghai. Rhee emphasized this once again during the First Korean Congress in Philadelphia. These thoughts shared by the Korean immigrants at the time had a great influence on the Provisional Charter of the Republic of Korea. Many scholars have understood the so-called mandatory theory as an argument put forward by Rhee Syng-man and Jeong Han-kyung, but this paper has revealed that this was an official resolution approved by discussions within the Korean National Association. Rhee maintained this position for some time even after the March 1st Movement, but he changed his position and insisted on full independence after hearing that the provisional government would found in Shanghai. This idea was emphasized during the First Korean Congress and also in his letter to President Wilson in April of 1919. The theory that Rhee Syng-man planned the March 1st Movement was a widespread theory argued by advocates of Rhee Syng-man, but there are no evidences that support his planning or direction regarding the March 1st Movement in the Korean peninsula. Nonetheless, many people thought that Rhee had been involved in the movement, which led him to become president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Rumors have made history.