IB DP History Paper 3: Asia & Oceania – The Korean Empire (1897-1910) | NEW 2026 Syllabus

Transform your IB History classroom with this comprehensive, plug-and-play PowerPoint presentation on the rise and fall of the Korean Empire. Designed specifically for the new IB DP History curriculum (first teaching 2026, first assessment 2028) , this 20-slide resource provides a deep dive into a critical period for Higher Level (HL) Paper 3: Regional study of Asia and Oceania .

This resource focuses on the four redefined specified concepts central to the new course: Cause and Consequence, Continuity and Change, Perspectives, and Significance . It guides students through the complex narrative of the Gwangmu Reforms, the Independence Club, and the Japanese encroachment, building the analytical skills required for the updated Paper 3 essay format, where students must evaluate historical arguments .

What’s Included:

20 professionally designed slides covering the Korean Empire (Daehan Jeguk) from 1897-1910.

Clear learning objectives and key term definitions.

Structured breakdown of the Gwangmu Reforms (political, military, economic, social/cultural).

Primary and secondary source analysis activities (including photographs, newspaper editorials, and maps) to build source skills for the new Paper 1 .

Explicit focus on the four historical concepts with dedicated tasks.

Examination of diverse perspectives (conservatives, reformers, nationalists, Japanese officials).

Embedded historiography and ATL skill-building activities .

Paper 3 practice questions aligned with the new “evaluate the argument” style .

A timeline and connections to later events (Japanese colonization, emergence of Syngman Rhee).

Key Curriculum Alignments:
This resource directly supports the new IB History course by developing:

Evaluative Thinking: Students learn to assess the success of the Gwangmu Reforms and the impact of the Independence Club, formulating balanced, evidence-based judgments.

Conceptual Understanding: Activities are explicitly linked to the four historical concepts, helping students move beyond narrative to deep analysis.

Synthesis Skills: The slide on “Connections & Final Discussion” helps students link this period to the later Korean War and Cold War context, fostering the ability to connect diverse examples.

Exam Skills: Includes source work and essay practice designed to build familiarity with the demands of the 2028 assessment.

Perfect for:

HL students studying Paper 3: History of Asia and Oceania.

Teachers needing ready-made, curriculum-aligned content for the challenging 1897-1910 period.

Building a rich, concept-driven unit on late 19th/early 20th-century East Asia.