KOREAN HISTORYEast Asian Studies

GEOGRAPHY

Mostly hilly Mountains in the

north that separate it from Manchuria

Most arable land in the south Rice, barley grown

Cold winters, (esp. North) and hot summers

EARLY KOREA TO 935 CE Language is not related to

Chinese Early Historical Period 200

BCE-313 BCE Home to many tribes

Old Chosŏn Capital likely at

Pyongyang Est. with help from

China ruled by itself until 108

BCE China rules until 313 CE

Much exchange with Chinese culture

During this period, the remainder of Korea is ruled by chieftans, Much like city-states

Overlaps with Han Dynasty in China

3 KINGDOMS RULE 313-668 CE Koguryo

Northern, most powerful (supported by China)

Paekche Maritime power in South,

much contact with Japan Silla

Powerful but small Kaya

Absorbed by Silla in 562

BUDDHISM

Spreads through Korea between the 360s and 370s Quickly becomes a

state-sponsored religion

UNIFICATION BY SILLA 668-935

Weak central control Constant struggle

with aristocracy “True Bones”

Large slave population made it hard to make land reforms

Higher culture closely linked with China Confucianism

KORYŎ DYNASTY 935-1392

King created alliance with aristocracy (Yangban) Aristocracy sent

hostages to king to keep loyalty

Slowly gained Confucian ideals, values and government during this time

Yangban

Peasants(some merchants

and artisans)

Slaves

FAMILY AND SOCIETY

Ancestry traced through mother and father (equally important)

All siblings inherited property (even daughters)

Men often went to live with their wives’ families

Women could easily divorce

Women could reign as queens

BREAKDOWN OF KORYŎ

Military rule from 1170-1259

Inner turmoil makes the peninsula susceptible to attack

Mongols dominate Korea from 1260-1351