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Protectorate General to Pacify the East Wikipedia

chinesename koreanname|
tradchi=安東都護府|
simpchi=|
py=An dong tuo hu fu|
wg=|
hangul=안동도호부|
hanja=安東都護府|
rr=An-dong Do-ho-bu|
mr=An-dong To-ho-bu|

The Protectorate-General to Pacify the East was a military government established at Pyongyang by Tang Dynasty China in 668. It played an important role in the turbulent events of the peninsula in the late 7th century. Administratively, it was intended to oversee nine commandery|commanderies.

The protectorate was established shortly after the kingdom of Goguryeo was overthrown by Tang and Silla forces. It was governed by the Tang general Xue Rengui. Tang established it to govern not only the commanderies established on Goguryeo and Baekje territory, but also to govern Silla itself. As Lee (1984, p. 69) remarks, "The effect of this was that, contrary to its expectations, Silla was receiving no different treatment from T'ang than were the conquered kingdoms of Koguryo and Paekche."

Silla retaliated against the Protectorate's domination by aiding Geom Mojam's rebellion in the north, and attacking Protectorate forces in 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 of Silla|King Munmu to be Silla's rightful ruler, but was unable to follow this symbolic blow with a military one.

Silla forces expelled the Protectorate armies from the Korean peninsula in 676. The Protectorate's capital was officially transferred to the Manchurian city of Liaoyang, where it continued to oversee the affairs of Goguryeo refugees and portions of the former Goguryeo territory. The deposed king of Goguryeo, King Bojang of Goguryeo|King Bojang was redesignated "King of Joseon" 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" (소구고려/小高句麗).

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

Last Modified:   2005-11-04