Using social movements as a prism to illuminate the oft-hidden history of twentieth-century Korea, this book provides detailed analysis of major uprisings that have patterned that country's politics and society. With a central focus on the Gwangju Uprising, which ultimately proved decisive in South Korea's democratization. Karsiaficas extrapolates Korean experiences to examine possibilities of global social movements in the twenty-first century. The book's historical sweep ranges from conflicts as Korea entered the modern era, to the country's division and the Korean War, through to opposition to neoliberal economic policies, and ongoing struggles in the internet age. Ten years in the making, it is the first volume in a magisterial two-part study that concludes by analyzing in rich detail uprisings in nine other places: the Philippines, Burma, Tibet, China, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Volume 1 includes maps of: Uprisings from September to December 1946 in Southern Korea; Guerrilla Strongholds, 1949; Uprising's Path in South Jeolla Province.

Uprisings and history -- Korea enters the modern world system -- U.S. Imperialism and the October people's uprising -- Against Korea's division : Jeju uprising and Yeosun insurrection -- The Minjung Awaken : Students overthrow Rhee and Park -- Gwangiu people's uprising -- Neoliberalism and the Gwangiu uprising -- The gathering storm -- The June uprising of 1987 -- The great workers' struggle -- From Minjung to citizens -- The struggle against neoliberalism --The democratic dilemma -- Interviews with citizen-activists.