Book Description

This thesis seeks to discuss the differences in rule that Korea and Formosa experienced under the Japanese Empire, looking at the status of each colony prior to colonization, during initial colonization, and what followed later; as well as ultimately discerning if the the concepts of direct and indirect rule are applicable to these cases. This thesis uses the definitions of direct and indirect rule, as given by Gerring et al. 2011. The time frame outlined for this thesis is 1895-1926. Through analysis of Japanese rule, such as the empire's modernization attempts on their colonies, resource abstraction, and governance both de facto and de jure, it is shown that the Japanese empire indeed did differ in their forms of rule of each colony. Japanese rule over Korea and Formosa showcases textbook examples of indirect and direct rules that did change over time as the empire and its needs changed.