Silla-Tang Wars
Encyclopedia
The Silla-Tang War occurred in the 7th century between Silla
and Chinese Tang Dynasty
.
After the Goguryeo–Tang Wars, the Silla-Tang alliance began to fall apart as Tang tried to establish the Protectorate General to Pacify the East
to control the whole Korean Peninsula
.
King Munmu challenge of freeing his country from Tang domination. After the fall of Goguryeo, Tang created the Protectorate General to Pacify the East and attempted to place the entire Korean Peninsula, including Silla, under its rule. To prevent this, Munmu forged alliances with Goguryeo resistance leaders such as Geom Mojam
and Anseung
, and launched a frontal attack on the Tang forces occupying former Baekje territories. The struggle lasted through the early 670s.
In 674, Tang and its former ally, Silla, were in constant battle, as King Munmu had taken over much of former Baekje and Goguryeo territory from the T'ang and fostered resistance against them. Emperor Gaozong
, in anger, arbitrarily declared King Munmu's brother Kim Inmun
(김인문, 金仁問) the king Munmu and commissioned Liu Rengui
with an army to attack Silla. However, King Munmu formally apologized and offered tribute, Emperor Gaozong ordered a withdrawal and recalled Kim Immun.
In 675, Li Jinxing (李謹行) reached Silla territory with Mohe forces that submitted to Tang. However, Tang forces was defeated by Silla army in Maeso fortress, present-day Yeoncheon. In 676, Xue Rengui
crossed the Yellow Sea
to against Silla. However, Silla navy expelled Tang forces on the coast of western Silla.
Emperor Gaozong order withdrawal of Tang forces from the Korean Peninsula entirely and moved the Protectorate General to Pacify the East to Liaodong, allowing Silla eventually expelled Tang out of the Korean Peninsula and unified the parts of the peninsula south of the Taedong River
. This victory, and the maintenance of Silla's independence, is generally regarded as a critical turning-point in Korean history.
After years of fight, Silla
eventually expelled Tang out of the northern most of Korean Peninsula and unified the parts of the peninsula south of the Taedong River
.
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
and Chinese Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
.
After the Goguryeo–Tang Wars, the Silla-Tang alliance began to fall apart as Tang tried to establish the Protectorate General to Pacify the East
Protectorate General to Pacify the East
The Protectorate-General to Pacify the East was a short-lived 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....
to control the whole Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
.
King Munmu challenge of freeing his country from Tang domination. After the fall of Goguryeo, Tang created the Protectorate General to Pacify the East and attempted to place the entire Korean Peninsula, including Silla, under its rule. To prevent this, Munmu forged alliances with Goguryeo resistance leaders such as Geom Mojam
Geom Mojam
Geom Mojam was the military leader of a short-lived movement to restore Goguryeo after its fall to Silla in the later 7th century CE. After the kingdom fell to Tang and Silla in 668, he kindled an opposition movement in the Taedong River valley and in 670 established Anseung as the new King of...
and Anseung
Anseung
Anseung , alternately Ansun , was thought to be either the nephew or illegitimate grandson of king Bojang of Goguryeo, the last King of Goguryeo...
, and launched a frontal attack on the Tang forces occupying former Baekje territories. The struggle lasted through the early 670s.
In 674, Tang and its former ally, Silla, were in constant battle, as King Munmu had taken over much of former Baekje and Goguryeo territory from the T'ang and fostered resistance against them. Emperor Gaozong
Gaozong
Gaozong is the temple name of several Chinese Emperors. It can refer to:* Emperor Yuan of Han * Emperor Gaozong of Tang * Emperor Gaozong of Song...
, in anger, arbitrarily declared King Munmu's brother Kim Inmun
Kim Inmun
Kim Inmun was a noted aristocrat, scholar, and official of the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the son of Muyeol and the younger brother of Munmu, the twenty-ninth and thirtieth kings respectively of Silla....
(김인문, 金仁問) the king Munmu and commissioned Liu Rengui
Liu Rengui
Liu Rengui , courtesy name Zhengze , formally Duke Wenxian of Lecheng , was a general and official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong and the subsequent regency of his wife Wu Zetian over his sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong...
with an army to attack Silla. However, King Munmu formally apologized and offered tribute, Emperor Gaozong ordered a withdrawal and recalled Kim Immun.
In 675, Li Jinxing (李謹行) reached Silla territory with Mohe forces that submitted to Tang. However, Tang forces was defeated by Silla army in Maeso fortress, present-day Yeoncheon. In 676, Xue Rengui
Xue rengui
Xue Ren'gui , formal name Xue Li but went by the courtesy name of Rengui, was one of the most famous Chinese generals during the early Tang Dynasty, due to references to him in popular literature...
crossed the Yellow Sea
Yellow Sea
The Yellow Sea is the name given to the northern part of the East China Sea, which is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Its name comes from the sand particles from Gobi Desert sand storms that turn the surface of the water golden...
to against Silla. However, Silla navy expelled Tang forces on the coast of western Silla.
Emperor Gaozong order withdrawal of Tang forces from the Korean Peninsula entirely and moved the Protectorate General to Pacify the East to Liaodong, allowing Silla eventually expelled Tang out of the Korean Peninsula and unified the parts of the peninsula south of the Taedong River
Taedong River
The Taedong River is a large river in North Korea. It rises in the Rangrim Mountains of the country's north. It then flows southwest into Korea Bay at Namp'o. In between, it runs through the country's capital, Pyongyang. Along the river are landmarks such as the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung...
. This victory, and the maintenance of Silla's independence, is generally regarded as a critical turning-point in Korean history.
After years of fight, Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
eventually expelled Tang out of the northern most of Korean Peninsula and unified the parts of the peninsula south of the Taedong River
Taedong River
The Taedong River is a large river in North Korea. It rises in the Rangrim Mountains of the country's north. It then flows southwest into Korea Bay at Namp'o. In between, it runs through the country's capital, Pyongyang. Along the river are landmarks such as the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung...
.