Protectorate General to Pacify the East

Protectorate General to Pacify the East
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 安東都護府
Korean name
Hangul 안동 도호부
Hanja 安東都護府
Duhu
Tang dynasty

The Protectorate-General to Pacify the East was a short-lived military government established at Pyongyang by the Tang Dynasty of China in 668 that assumed temporary control over portions of the Korean Peninsula after the end of the Three Kingdoms Period. It played an important role in the turbulent events following the end of the Three Kingdoms period until its expulsion from the Korean Peninsula by Silla in 676, and subsequently its destruction in Manchuria by Balhae forces in 756.

The protectorate was established shortly after the kingdoms of Goguryeo and Baekje were overthrown by allied Tang and Silla forces. It was governed by the Tang general Xue Rengui. The Tang established it to govern not only the commanderies established on former Goguryeo and Baekje territories, but also in an attempt to assert control over Silla as well.

Silla retaliated against the Protectorate's attempt at establishing suzerainty on the Korean peninsula by aiding Geom Mojam's rebellion in the north, and attacking Protectorate forces in former Baekje territory. In 671 Silla seized Sabi Castle from the Tang armies. They overthrew the puppet government of Buyeo Yung which had been established there. Angered, Tang declared a younger brother of King Munmu to be Silla's rightful ruler, but was unable to follow this symbolic blow with a military one.

At the conclusion of the Silla–Tang Wars, Silla forces expelled the Protectorate armies from the entirety of the Korean Peninsula in 676. The Protectorate's capital was officially transferred to the former Goguryeon city of Shinseong, where it continued to oversee the affairs of Goguryeo refugees and portions of the former Goguryeo territory.

The deposed king of Goguryeo, King Bojang was redesignated "King of Joseon" (Hangul : 요동주도독 조선왕 Hanja: 遼東州都督朝鮮王) and made governor of the Protectorate. His persistent activities in aiding rebellions led to his eventual banishment, but Bojang's descendants continued to govern the Protectorate for several generations. The Protectorate of this period is sometimes referred to as "Little Goguryeo" or "Lesser Goguryeo".

Local unrest and the rising power of Balhae forced the Protectorate to change capitals several times. The Protectorate was finally extinguished in 756 as Balhae assumed power in Manchuria.

Administration

Administratively, it was intended to oversee nine commanderies, 42 prefectures (later reorganized into 14) and 100 counties.

Nine commanderies

14 prefectures(州)

Governors

References

See also

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