User:Pldx1/history-korea

Timeline  Korea portal

The

[2] ^[3] The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC,^[4] and the Neolithic period began after 6000 BC, followed by the Bronze Age by 800 BC,**** ^{[5] [6] [7]} and the Iron Age around 400 BC.

According to the mythic origin story recounted in the

(Old Joseon) was founded in northern Korea and Manchuria in 2333 BC.**** [8]^[9][10] The in old territories of Goguryeo,**** [12] ^[13] which led to the (698–926).

In the late 9th century, Silla was divided into the

flourished.

In 1392,

, the Korean alphabet.

From the late 16th century, the Joseon dynasty faced foreign invasions, internal power struggle and rebellions, and it declined rapidly in the late 19th century. In 1897, the

Korean resistance was manifested in the widespread nonviolent March 1st Movement of 1919. Thereafter the resistance movements, coordinated by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in exile, were largely active in neighboring Manchuria, China and Siberia.

After the liberation in 1945, the partition of Korea created the modern two states of North and South Korea. In 1948, new governments were established, the democratic South Korea ("Republic of Korea") and communist North Korea ("Democratic People's Republic of Korea") divided at the 38th parallel. The unresolved tensions of the division surfaced in the Korean War of 1950. Although there was a cease-fire in 1953, the two nations officially remain at war because a peace treaty was never signed. Both states were accepted into the United Nations in 1991.

Prehistory, Gojoseon, and the Jin State

No definite

Jeulmun Pottery Period

The earliest known

culture in Japan.**** ^{[18] [19] [20]}

Mumun Pottery Period

Archaeological evidence demonstrates that agricultural societies and the earliest forms of social-political complexity emerged in the

(c. 1500–300 BC).**** ^{[21] [22]}

People in southern Korea adopted intensive dry-field and paddy-field agriculture with a multitude of crops in the Early Mumun Period (1500–850 BC). The first societies led by big-men or chiefs emerged in the Middle Mumun (850–550 BC), and the first ostentatious elite burials can be traced to the Late Mumun (c. 550–300 BC). Bronze production began in the Middle Mumun and became increasingly important in ceremonial and political society after 700 BC. Archeological evidence from Songguk-ri, Daepyeong, Igeum-dong, and elsewhere indicate that the Mumun era was the first in which chiefdoms rose, expanded, and collapsed. The increasing presence of long-distance trade, an increase in local conflicts, and the introduction of bronze and iron metallurgy are trends denoting the end of the Mumun around 300 BC.^[21]

Gojoseon and Jin State

Gojoseon was the first Korean kingdom, located in the north of the peninsula followed by the state of Jin in the south of the peninsula.

The founding legend of Gojoseon, which is recorded in the

The first kingdom of Gojoseon with verifiable historical evidence is

The historical Gojoseon kingdom was first mentioned in Chinese records in the early 7th century BC,[26]^[27] and by about the 4th century BC it had developed to the point where its existence was well known in China.^[28][29] Around 4th Century BC, its capital moved to Pyongyang.^[30][31]

In 194 BC,

Many smaller states sprang from the former territory of Gojoseon such as

existed into the 5th and 6th centuries respectively.

The Jin State, which was historically simultaneous, was located in the South of the Peninsula, but historic records are scarce, and it is not easy to figure out how much of a state this was.^[citation needed]

Metallurgy

The Bronze Age is often held to have begun around 900-800 BC in Korea,^[6] though the transition to the Bronze Age may have begun as far back as 2300 BC.^[7] Bronze daggers, mirrors, and weaponry have been found, as well as evidence of walled-town polities. Rice, red beans, soybeans and millet were cultivated, and rectangular pit-houses and increasingly larger dolmen burial sites are found throughout the peninsula.^[34] Contemporaneous records suggest that Gojoseon transitioned from a feudal federation of walled cities into a centralised kingdom at least before the 4th century BC.^[35] It is believed that by the 4th century BC, iron culture was developing in Korea as the warring states of China pushed refugees east and south.

Proto–Three Kingdoms

Proto–Three Kingdoms

period

The Proto–Three Kingdoms period, sometimes called the Several States Period (열국시대),

.

Buyeo and other Northern states

After the fall of

Although records are sparse and contradictory, it is thought that in 86 BC,

Samhan

Sam han (삼한, 三韓) refers to the three confederacies of

Three Kingdoms Era

Goguryeo

Goguryeo tomb mural

.

Goguryeo was founded in 37 BC by

Goguryeo reached its zenith in the 5th century, when

Goguryeo later fought and defeated massive

However, numerous wars with China exhausted Goguryeo and it fell into a weak state. After internal power struggles, it was conquered by allied Silla-Tang forces in 668.[48]

Baekje

.

The

Jeolla

provinces) of the peninsula and became a significant political and military power. In the process, Baekje came into fierce confrontation with Goguryeo and the Chinese commanderies in the vicinity of its territorial ambitions.

At its peak in the 4th century in the reign of

Baekje played a fundamental role in transmitting cultural developments, such as

Silla

According to legend, the kingdom

Silla artifacts, including unique gold metalwork, show influence from the northern nomadic steppes, with less Chinese influence than are shown by Goguryeo and Baekje.[54] Silla expanded rapidly by occupying the Nakdong River basin and uniting the city-states.

By the 2nd century, Silla was a large state, occupying and influencing nearby city states. Silla gained further power when it annexed the Gaya confederacy in 562. Silla often faced pressure from Gougryeo, Baekje and Japan, and at various times allied and warred with Baekje and Goguryeo.

In 660, King

Gaya

region after the 5th century.

Constantly engaged in war with the three kingdoms surrounding it, Gaya was not developed to form a unified state, and was ultimately absorbed into Silla in 562.^[56]

North and South States

The term North-South States refers to Unified Silla and Balhae, during the time when Silla controlled the majority of the Korean peninsula while Balhae expanded into Manchuria. During this time, culture and technology significantly advanced, especially in Unified Silla.

Unified Silla (Later Silla)

After the unification wars, the

Unified Silla was a time when Korean arts flourished dramatically and Buddhism became a large part of culture. Buddhist monasteries such as the World Heritage Sites Bulguksa temple and Seokguram Grotto are examples of advanced Korean architecture and Buddhist influence.^[58] Other state-sponsored art and architecture from this period include Hwangnyongsa Temple and Bunhwangsa Temple.

Silla began to experience political troubles in late 8th century. This severely weakened Silla and soon thereafter, descendants of the former Baekje established

period.

Unified Silla lasted for 267 years until King Gyeongsun surrendered the country to Goryeo in 935, after 992 years and 56 monarchs.^[59]

Balhae

In a time of relative peace and stability in the region, Balhae flourished, especially during the reigns of the third

No historical records from Balhae have survived, and the Liao left no histories of Balhae. While

Later Three Kingdoms

The Later Three Kingdoms (892 – 936 CE) consisted of

declined in power, claimed to be heirs to Baekje and Goguryeo.

Goryeo

Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), with kingfisher color glaze

.

Goryeo was founded in 918 AD and became the ruling dynasty of Korea by 936. "Goryeo" was named as Wang Geon deemed the nation as a successor of Goguryeo.^[65] The dynasty lasted until 1392, and it is the source of the English name "Korea."^[66][67]

During this period laws were codified, and a civil service system was introduced. Buddhism flourished, and spread throughout the peninsula. The development of celadon pottery flourished in the 12th and 13th century.^[68] The publication of Tripitaka Koreana onto 81,258 wooden blocks^[69] and the invention of movable-metal-type printing press attest to Goryeo's cultural achievements.

In 1231 the

In the 1350s, the Yuan Dynasty declined rapidly due to internal struggles, enabling King Gongmin to reform the Goryeo government.^[71] Gongmin had various problems that needed to be dealt with, including the removal of pro-Mongol aristocrats and military officials, the question of land holding, and quelling the growing animosity between the Buddhists and Confucian scholars.^[72]

The Goryeo dynasty would last until 1392.

Joseon

Main article:

Joseon Dynasty

Political history

In 1392, the general

Taejo moved the capital to

Internal conflicts within the royal court, civil unrest and other political struggles plagued the nation in the years that followed, worsened by the

As Joseon was striving to rebuild itself after the war, it suffered from the

A period of peace followed in the 18th century during the years of King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo, who led a new renaissance of the Joseon dynasty, with fundamental reforms to ease the political tension between the Confucian scholars, who held high positions.^[79][80]

However, corruption in government and social unrest prevailed in the years thereafter, causing numerous civil uprisings and revolts. The government made sweeping reforms in the late 19th century, but adhered to a strict isolationist policy, earning Joseon the nickname "

Culture and society

Joseon's culture was based on the philosophy of Neo-Confucianism, which emphasizes morality, righteousness, and practical ethics. Wide interest in scholarly study resulted in the establishment of private academies and educational institutions. Many documents were written about history, geography, medicine, and Confucian principles. The arts flourished in painting, calligraphy, music, dance, and ceramics.^[82]

The most notable cultural event of this era is the promulgation of the Korean alphabet

During Joseon, a social hierarchy system existed that greatly affected Korea's social development. The king and the royal family were atop the hereditary system, with the next tier being a class of civil or military officials and land owners known as yangban, who worked for the government and lived off the efforts of tenant farmers and slaves.

A middle class, jungin, were technical specialists such as scribes, medical officers, technicians in science-related fields, artists and musicians. Commoners, i.e. peasants, constituted the largest class in Joseon. They had obligations to pay taxes, provide labor, and serve in the military. By paying land taxes to the state, they were allowed to cultivate land and farm. The lowest class included tenant farmers, slaves, entertainers, craftsmen, prostitutes, laborers, shamans, vagabonds, outcasts, and criminals. Although slave status was hereditary, they could be sold or freed at officially set prices, and the mistreatment of slaves was forbidden.^[85]

This yangban focused system started to change in the late 17th century as political, economic and social changes came into place. By the 19th century, new commercial groups emerged, and the active social mobility caused the yangban class to expand, resulting in the weakening of the old class system. The Joseon government ordered the freedom of government slaves in 1801. The class system of Joseon was completely banned in 1894.^[86]

Foreign invasions

Main articles:

Geomun Island Incident

Joseon dealt with a pair of

Imjin War

or the Seven Years war). Prior to the war, Korea sent two ambassadors to scout for signs of Japan's intentions of invading Korea. However, they came back with 2 different reports, and while the politicians split into sides, little proactive measures were taken.

This conflict brought prominence to Admiral Yi Sun-sin as he contributed to eventually repelling the Japanese forces with the innovative use of his invention, the turtle ship, a massive, yet swift, ramming/cannon ship fitted with iron spikes and, according to some sources, an iron-plated deck^[87][88][89]). The use of the hwacha was also highly effective in repelling the Japanese invaders from the land.

Subsequently, Korea was

Empire. Though the Koreans respected their traditional subservient position to China, there was persistent Ming loyalty and disdain for the Manchus.

During the 19th century, Joseon tried to control foreign influence by closing the borders to all nations but China. In 1853 the USS South America, an American gunboat, visited Busan for 10 days and had amiable contact with local officials. Several Americans shipwrecked on Korea in 1855 and 1865 were also treated well and sent to China for repatriation. The Joseon court was aware of the foreign invasions and treaties involving Qing China, as well as the First and Second Opium Wars, and followed a cautious policy of slow exchange with the West.

In 1866, reacting to greater numbers of Korean converts to Catholicism despite several waves of persecutions, the Joseon court clamped down on them, massacring French Catholic missionaries and Korean converts alike. Later in the year France invaded and occupied portions of Ganghwa Island. The Korean army lost heavily, but the French abandoned the island.

The General Sherman, a American-owned armed merchant marine sidewheel schooner, attempted to open Korea to trade in 1866. After an initial miscommunication, the ship sailed upriver and became stranded near Pyongyang. After being ordered to leave by the Korean officials, the American crewmen killed four Korean inhabitants, kidnapped a military officer and engaged in sporadic fighting that continued for four days. After two efforts to destroy the ship failed, she was finally set aflame by Korean

laden with explosives.

This incident is celebrated by the DPRK as a precursor to the later USS Pueblo incident.

In response, the United States confronted Korea militarily in 1871, killing 243 Koreans in Ganghwa island before withdrawing. This incident is called the

in Korea. Five years later, the reclusive Korea signed a trade treaty with Japan, and in 1882 signed a treaty with the United States, ending centuries of isolationism.

In 1885,

, and withdrew in 1887.

Conflict between the conservative court and a reforming faction led to the Gapsin Coup in 1884. The reformers sought to reform Koreans institutionalized social inequality, by proclaiming social equality and the elimination of the privileges of the yangban class. The reformers were backed by Japan, and were thwarted by the arrival of Qing troops, invited by the conservative Queen Min. The Chinese troops departed but the leading general Yuan Shikai remained in Korea from 1885-1894 as Resident, directing Korean affairs. Korea became linked by telegraph to China in 1888 with Chinese controlled telegraphs. China permitted Korea to establish embassies with Russia (1884), Italy (1885), France (1886), United States, Japan. China attempted to block the exchange of embassies in Western countries, but not with Tokyo. The Qing government provided loans. China promoted its trade in an attempt to block Japanese merchants, which led to Chinese favour in Korean trade. Anti-Chinese riots broke out in 1888 and 1889 and Chinese shops were torched. Japan remained the largest foreign community and largest trading partner.^[90]

After a

who had sought Russian help, and the Russians were forced to retreat from Korea for the time.

Korean Empire

As a result of the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki was concluded between China and Japan. It stipulated the abolition of traditional relationships Korea had with China, the latter of which recognised the complete independence of Joseon and repudiated the former's political influence over the latter.

In 1897, Joseon was renamed the

Russian influence was strong in the Empire until being defeated by Japan in the

Following the signing of the treaty, many intellectuals and scholars set up various organizations and associations, embarking on movements for independence. In 1907, Gojong was forced to abdicate after Japan learned that he

This prompted the Japanese to ban all political organisations and proceed with plans for annexation.

Japanese rule

In 1910

After the annexation, Japan set out to repress Korean traditions and culture, develop and implement policies primarily for the Japanese benefit.

After

No comment was made by Wilson on Korean independence, perhaps as a pro-Japan faction in the USA sought trade inroads into China through the Korean peninsula.

The

Continued

Some

.

During World War II, Koreans at home were forced to support the Japanese war effort. Tens of thousands of men^[106] were conscripted into Japan's military. Around 200,000 girls and women, some from Korea, were engaged in sexual services, with the euphemism "comfort women". Previous Korean "comfort women" are still protesting against the Japanese Government for compensation of their sufferings.^{[107][108][109]}

Christianity

Protestant missionary efforts in Asia were nowhere more successful than in Korea. American Presbyterians and Methodists arrived in the 1880s and were well received. In the days Korea was under Japanese control, Christianity became in part an expression of nationalism in opposition to the Japan's efforts to promote the Japanese language and the Shinto religion.^[110] In 1914 out of 16 million people, there were 86,000 Protestants and 79,000 Catholics; by 1934 the numbers were 168,000 and 147,000. Presbyterian missionaries were especially successful. Harmonizing with traditional practices became an issue. The Protestants developed a substitute for Confucian ancestral rites by merging Confucian-based and Christian death and funerary rituals.^[111]

The division of Korea

At the

, meeting little resistance. Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces on August 15, 1945.

The unconditional surrender of Japan, combined with fundamental shifts in global politics and ideology, led to the division of Korea into two occupation zones effectively starting on September 8, 1945, with the United States administering the southern half of the peninsula and the Soviet Union taking over the area north of the 38th parallel. The Provisional Government was ignored, mainly due to American perception that it was too communist-aligned.^[114] This division was meant to be temporary and was first intended to return a unified Korea back to its people after the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and Republic of China could arrange a single government.

In December 1945, a conference convened in Moscow to discuss the future of Korea.^[115] A 5-year trusteeship was discussed, and a joint Soviet-American commission was established. The commission met intermittently in Seoul but deadlocked over the issue of establishing a national government. In September 1947, with no solution in sight, the United States submitted the Korean question to the United Nations General Assembly.

Initial hopes for a

, a series of oppressive autocratic governments took power in South Korea with American support and influence. The country eventually transitioned to become a market-oriented democracy in 1987 largely due to popular demand for reform, and its economy rapidly grew and became a developed economy by the 2000s. Due to Soviet Influence, North Korea established a communist government with a hereditary succession of leadership, with ties to China and the Soviet Union. Kim Il-sung became the supreme leader until his death in 1994, after which his son, Kim Jong-il took power. Kim Jong-il's son, Kim Jong-un, is the current leader, taking power after his father's death in 2011. After the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991, the North Korean economy went on a path of steep decline, and it is currently heavily reliant on international food aid and trade with China.

See History of North Korea and History of South Korea for the post-war period.

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• List of monarchs of Korea
• Military history of Korea
• National Treasure of South Korea
• Prehistory of Korea
• Timeline of Korean history
• Korean nationalist historiography

Notes

Bibliography

Books are sorted by author FAMILY name, called last-name in English... and the first coming part of a Korean name.

Surveys

• ISBN 978-89-7105-544-1
  .
  Rem: this isbn seems to be in trouble. The isbn of vol1 is 9788-9710-5545-8 and the isbn of vol2 is 9788-9710-5546-5.

• ISBN 9781-5760-7277-6
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• ISBN 9780-9627-7130-9
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• ISBN 9780-7103-0299-1
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• ISBN 9780230364530
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• ISBN 9780-6746-1576-2
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• ISBN 9780-2759-5823-7
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• ISBN 9788-9880-9585-0
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• ISBN 9780-2959-9216-7
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• ISBN 9780-8108-4949-5
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• ISBN 9780-5214-0783-0
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• ISBN 9781861893352
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• ISBN 9780-8248-3174-5
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• ISBN 9780-2311-2538-3
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• ISBN 9780-7425-4005-7
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• ISBN 9780-7425-6716-0
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• ISBN 9788-9730-0619-9
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• ISBN 9781-5659-1105-5
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Historiography

• ISBN 9780-8223-5372-0
  .
  Examines how Korean national ambitions have shaped the work of the country's historians.

• Yuh, Leighanne (2010). "The Historiography of Korea in the United States". International Journal of Korean History. 15#2: 127–144.

Other books used in this page

• ISBN 9781-7802-3025-2
  .
  Scholarly study of how food reflects Korea's history

• ISBN 89-954424-2-5
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• ISBN 9780-6740-5820-0
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  Studies of on modernization under Park, 1961–1979.

• ISBN 9781-4381-2738-5
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• ISBN 1-4051-0212-8
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• ISBN 0-304-35948-3
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C/J/K books

• Byeon Tae-seop (변태섭) (1999). 韓國史通論 (Hanguksa tongnon) (Outline of Korean history), 4th ed. Seoul: Samyeongsa.
  ISBN 89-445-9101-6
  . (in Korean)

• ISBN 4-7503-0568-5
  .(in Japanese)

• ISBN 4-7503-0406-9
  .

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to History of Korea.

• Korean History online, Korean History Information Center
• Timeline of Korean Dynasties
• Kyujanggak Archive, pdf files of Korean classics in their original written classical Chinese
• Korean History :Bibliography, Center for Korean Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• History of Korea, KBS World
• History of Corea, Ancient and Modern; with Description of Manners and Customs, Language and Geography by John Ross, 1891