Wokou

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/wokou

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary century of activity?13th to 17th centuries
2. What is the geographical scope of raids?Coastal regions of China and Korea
3. Who were the Wokou pirates?The Wokou were sea raiders from the 13th to 17th centuries who came from many places, like Japan, China, and Korea, and they worked together in groups that changed over time.
4. Why did people join the Wokou?Many joined because of famine, trouble in their homes, or because they saw a chance to earn money by stealing from ships and towns.

Wokou: A historical term for pirates, primarily of East Asian origin, who raided the coasts of China and Korea.
Ming Dynasty: The imperial dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, during which Wokou activity was significant.
Treaty of Gyehae: A 1443 treaty that helped reduce Wokou activity against Korea.