Independence Gate
Encyclopedia
The Independence Gate is a memorial gate located in Seoul
, South Korea
. The gate was built following the first Sino-Japanese war
to inspire a spirit of independence away from previous Korean arrangement as a Chinese protectorate. Its construction began on November 21, 1896, and finished November 20, 1897.
The gate measures 14.28 meters in height, 11.48 meters in width, and is made of approximately 1,850 pieces of granite. Its design modeled on the Arc de Triomphe
in Paris
. In 1979, it was moved from an original position to 70 meters northwest by rezoning.
The Independence Gate was built to replace the Yeongeunmun Gate
, which was a symbol of diplomatic relation between Korea and Qing Dynasty
. To raise funds for the building, the Independence Club
collected contributions.
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. The gate was built following the first Sino-Japanese war
First Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan, primarily over control of Korea...
to inspire a spirit of independence away from previous Korean arrangement as a Chinese protectorate. Its construction began on November 21, 1896, and finished November 20, 1897.
The gate measures 14.28 meters in height, 11.48 meters in width, and is made of approximately 1,850 pieces of granite. Its design modeled on the Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe
-The design:The astylar design is by Jean Chalgrin , in the Neoclassical version of ancient Roman architecture . Major academic sculptors of France are represented in the sculpture of the Arc de Triomphe: Jean-Pierre Cortot; François Rude; Antoine Étex; James Pradier and Philippe Joseph Henri Lemaire...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In 1979, it was moved from an original position to 70 meters northwest by rezoning.
The Independence Gate was built to replace the Yeongeunmun Gate
Yeongeunmun Gate
The Yeongeunmun was a historical gate located in present Hyeonjeo-dong, Seodaemun-gu, in the northwestern part of Seoul, South Korea...
, which was a symbol of diplomatic relation between Korea and Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. To raise funds for the building, the Independence Club
Philip Jaisohn
Philip Jaisohn was the anglicized name used by Seo Jae-pil, a noted champion for Korea's independence, and the first Korean to become a naturalized citizen of the United States.-Political activist:...
collected contributions.
See also
- First Sino-Japanese WarFirst Sino-Japanese WarThe First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan, primarily over control of Korea...
- Treaty of ShimonosekiTreaty of ShimonosekiThe Treaty of Shimonoseki , known as the Treaty of Maguan in China, was signed at the Shunpanrō hall on April 17, 1895, between the Empire of Japan and Qing Empire of China, ending the First Sino-Japanese War. The peace conference took place from March 20 to April 17, 1895...
- Yeongeunmun GateYeongeunmun GateThe Yeongeunmun was a historical gate located in present Hyeonjeo-dong, Seodaemun-gu, in the northwestern part of Seoul, South Korea...
- Joseon DynastyJoseon DynastyJoseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
- Korean EmpireKorean EmpireThe Greater Korean Empire was an empire of Korea that succeeded the Joseon Dynasty.In October 1897, Emperor Gojong proclaimed the new entity at Gyeongungung Palace and oversaw the partially successful modernization of the military, economy, land system, education system, and various industries...
- Samjeondo MonumentSamjeondo MonumentThe Samjeondo Monument is a monument marking Korea's submission to Qing Dynasty of China in 1636 after Second Manchu invasion of Korea. its original name was Daecheong Hwangje Gongdeok Bi which means the stele to the merits and virtues of the Emperor of Great Qing...
- Seodaemun PrisonSeodaemun prisonSeodaemun Prison History Hall is a museum and former prison in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It was constructed beginning in 1907. The prison was opened on October 21, 1908, under the name Gyeongseong Gamok. Its name was changed to Seodaemun Prison in 1923.The prison was used during the...