This study examines Syngman Rhee's activities in the United States,
from 1904 to 1945, as he tried to gain independence for Korea. Rhee was a
prominent Korean nationalist, anti-communist, and first President of South
Korea. Chapter One (1904-1918) examines how Rhee began his fight for
Korean independence after consequential events in Korean history. Chapter
Two (1919-1938) looks at Rhee's activities as a principal leader of Korean
independence from 1919 to 1938. After the March First Movement in Korea in
1919, he became the President of the Korean Provisional Government and
concentrated his efforts on diplomacy and propaganda in the United States.
Chapter Three (1939-1945) focuses on Rhee's efforts for the recognition of the
Korean Provisional Government and the guarantee of Korean independence
immediately after the war. In addition, the chapter examines why Rhee started
to fight against Russian aggression toward Korea. Chapter Four (after 1945)
briefly examines Rhee' s continuous fight for Korean independence against
Russian communism, after he returned to Korea. As this thesis concludes,
Rhee's long struggle for Korean independence greatly contributed to the
establishment of a democratic South Korea.
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