Making Democracy Korean: American Ideals and South Korean State-Building, 1919-1960 By Jooyoung Lee B.A., Seoul National University, 1999 M.A., Brown University, 2004 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of History at Brown University PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND MAY 2012 © Copyright 2012 by Jooyoung Lee ii This dissertation by Jooyoung Lee is accepted in its present form by the Department of History as satisfying the dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Date Naoko Shibusawa, Advisor Recommended to the Graduate Council Date Robert G. Lee, Reader Date James McClain, Reader Date Kerry Smith, Reader Approved by the Graduate Council Date Peter M. Weber, Dean of the Graduate School iii CURRICULUM VITAE Jooyoung Lee was born in Jeonju, South Korea, on October 3, 1972. He received a B.A. (1999) in History at Seoul National University, and an M.A. (2004) in History at Brown University. He entered the Ph.D. program in History at Brown University in 2003. His Ph.D. education was supported by Brown University through a university fellowship, teaching assistantships, a research travel fellowship, and a dissertation fellowship. His major publications include “Underdevelopment of American Studies in South Korea: Mutual Willful Ignorance,” The Journal of American-East Asian Relations 18, no. 3-4 (November 2011): 274-294 and “‘American’ Ideas and South Korean Nation-Building: U.S. Influence on Korean Education,” Cross Cultural Studies 20 (September 2010). He has also reviewed Karen J. Leong’s book The China Mystique: Pearl S. Buck, Anna May Wong, Mayling Soong, and the Transformation of American Orientalism for H-Net Women. (October 2007). He has been a teaching assistant in a variety of classes including American, Japanese, and Korean history. He also received the Teaching Certificate I (2006), II (2011), and III (2012) at the Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning at Brown University. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I owe a profound debt of gratitude to the members of my dissertation committee. Naoko Shibusawa has been a superb mentor since 2005. She has been a pillar of support every step of the way, who gave me insights into U.S. history, prepared me for the preliminary exam, guided me to fine-tune my research topic, encouraged me out of difficulties, and frequently gave up her weekends to edit my drafts. She has been not only an academic advisor, but also a wonderful life mentor throughout my time at Brown. As another valuable advisor, Kerry Smith provided me with critical and constructive comments on my chapters. I gained indispensable insight into Korean history by discussing Japanese history with him. Robert G. Lee has been a great source of creativity: just a few hours of brainstorming with him easily replenished my exhausted ideas. James McClain helped me look at Korean history from a multitude of perspectives. His keen understanding of the field inspired me to approach Korean history in a new way and to develop a more balanced view of U.S.-Korean relations. Omer Bartov, my former advisor at Brown, gave me immeasurable help. I also do not forget Deborah Cohen’s guidance and encouragement during my graduate years. Professors Amy Remensnyder, Richard Jones, and Robert Self in my department have each played a truly marvelous role as Director of Graduate Studies v during my program. The academic managers in the history department, Cherrie Guerzon and Mary Beth Bryson, have been genuinely supportive. Moreover, their hearty cheers have always reinvigorated me. I have been able to find relevant and necessary for my work thanks to the support of many people. Dr. Pang Sunjoo at the National Archives at College Park kindly helped me to locate numerous documents, otherwise difficult to access. Ms. Frances O’Donnell at the Andover-Harvard Theological Library was also incredibly supportive during my research on the American Education Mission in 1950s South Korea. Many other archivists both in the United States and South Korea were always extremely generous to assist me. Outside Brown, numerous scholars have helped me become a historian. Professor George Iggers not only pushed me to relocate to the United States, but also gave acute comments on my works. Professor Gregg Brazinski’s book about U.S.- Korean relations and his deep passion for historical research were great stimuli to my own studies. I still remember my surprise and delight at his fluent Korean when I first met him at the National Archives. I also would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my advisers and mentors in South Korea. Professor Ahn Byung-Jik taught me the fundamentals of historical scholarship. Professor Jou Kyung-Chul expanded my historical perspective by introducing me to various topics and approaches. Professor Lim Sangwoo, who I consider my mentor, gave me invaluable advice and encouragement and inspired me to direct my focus to U.S. history. I still benefit from my conversations with Professor Lee Yong-Wook when he was a postdoctoral fellow at Brown. Professors Kim Hyun-wook, Kim Sangsoo, Bae vi Youngsoo, Lee Bo-hyung, Park Tae-gyun, and Chung Yong-wook all deserve my thanks for their input. I would not have been able to complete this dissertation without the invaluable emotional and intellectual support of my friends and colleagues at both Brown and Seoul National University. Roh Kyung-duck has been my friend, mentor, and motivator. He helped overcome difficulties as a graduate student. Byun Woo-hee’s encouragements never failed to restore my optimism and confidence. Erik Anderson has been like a brother to me since our first year at Brown. His great culinary talents always made me feel at home. Aiko Takeuchi, who has been a supportive friend since our years at Miller Hall, made contributions even until the last stages of this dissertation. I thank Patrick Chung and Jo Eunseo for reading my dissertation and giving me constructive suggestions. They voluntarily and enthusiastically proofread my drafts. I must note other fellow graduate students at Brown as well: Cho Chunhyung, Park Jun Young, Han Eunseon, Bae Jinsuk, Meltzer Paige, Heather Lee, Derek Seidman and Roger Shih Chieh Lo. Thankfully, I made many wonderful friends while studying in the United States. Pastor Chun Jinwoo’s spiritual and emotional support made my graduate life much more joyful. I spent most of my last year at Brown with Won Chiwook who kindly shared his office with me. He was my study buddy, gym partner, and a friend who sympathetically listened to my complaints. Kim Daeho, now a professor at Ohio State University, is a friend with whom I shared many hardships and joys. Park Chanmo, my spiritual advisor, has become my best friend. He gladly provided accommodation whenever I visited Harvard University. Professor Hong Chang-Seong was a great life mentor as well. Dr. Daegon Oh and Professor Inchon Kim helped me vii develop a long-term vision of my career. I will also mention John Shone who contributed with resourceful opinions. Katrina Avery, who made my life much easier by proofreading my drafts, has been a faithful supporter. I am also heartily grateful to my church friends who have prayed for me. Many others helped me through this strenuous journey: Professor Shin Seung-Kyoon, Professor Choi Kyungsub, Pastor Chang Sungwoo, Park Hongsik, Park Chansok, Cho Jun Hee, Kim Dong-Gyu, and Yang Myungji. Finally, I am grateful to my parents Dr. Kyu-Ha Lee and Young-Nam Jeon, and my brother, Jaeyoung Lee, for their support and love. My father, a professor of European history, encouraged me to pursue this demanding but rewarding career. I could not have made this possible without my mother’s sound encouragement and Jae-young’s belief that I could ultimately become a great scholar. I owe an inestimable debt to my parents-in-law who, patiently waiting for my graduation, raised my children in Korea. My successes could not have been realized without their understanding and contributions. The encouragement of my grandparents-in-law in L.A. has also been truly uplifting. Above all, my wife, Kyunghwa Ji merits all my love and gratitude. I would not have been able to complete this dissertation without her love and support. Making trips back and forth between the United States and South Korea, Kyunghwa had the dual task of managing a family and maintaining a full-time career. But all the while, she has trusted me and never lost her smile. Also, I regret that I could not be there for my son, Choonghun, who has now entered elementary school, and Suhjin, my three- year old daughter. viii When I realize how many people have supported and encouraged me as I wrote this dissertation, I am humbled and grateful. I know that the only way to repay my debts is to continue to pursue my passions with unmatched fervor. In all, I thank God who led me to this place, gave me the support of all these valuable people, and showed me visions of my future. ix NOTE ON KOREAN NAMES AND WORDS I have adopted the Korean convention of placing surnames first before given names. I have also used the Revised Romanization of Korean, which replaced McCune- Reischauer as the official Romanization system in South Korea in 2000. I made exceptions to this when referring to Korean words that are commonly used in English vocabulary (such as Seoul) or Korean names in citations that authors have written in English for the American audience. All translations from Korean language sources are mine unless otherwise noted. x TABLE OF CONTENTS Signature Page …………………………………………………………………… iii Curriculum Vitae ………………………………………………………………… iv Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………….