Chapter 18 Lesson 1: Korea
(Teacher Notes)
A Brief History and Geography Lesson
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Korea lies on a peninsula in East Asia. Korea has been a “bridge” between China and
Japan. Its location to China and Japan has greatly impacted its culture.
Legend has it that Tangun, the son of a bear and a god founded Korea.
The first Koreans were nomads who traveled from northern or central Asia. The earliest
tribes lived in scattered villages with no central government.
o The earliest Koreans believed in Shamanism: this is the belief in gods and spirits.
A shaman acted as communicators between the people and the spirits/ gods.
The Three Kingdoms(A.D. 300- A.D. 700)
The earliest kingdoms were founded in 2333 BC. The Chinese took over Korea in 109 BC, and
the Koreans drove them out in A.D. 200s. 3 Kingdoms later emerged:
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2.
3.
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Koguryo
Paekche
Silla
Chinese and Japanese culture influenced these kingdoms. The people of these kingdoms
used Chinese writing system and adopted Buddhism and Confucianism. Each kingdom
was ruled by a monarch with help of scholarly officials and noble families.
The Three Kingdoms also adapted outside practices to create their own cultures Ex.
Enormous cave paintings and the astronomical observatory that still stands today
The Silla Kingdom
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The Three Kingdoms fought each other: They fought wars to see who would control the
peninsula. The Silla Kingdom won in 660s with the help of the Tang Dynasty.
The Silla Kingdom was a peaceful time: They wanted the area to be Buddhist: A few
nobles at top and farmers are bottom.
Improvements: gave land to farmers and helped build irrigation for rice fields= more food
being produced. Also supported cultural advances. Valued education= gave exams to
hire government officials. Also encouraged arts (building many Buddhist Temples),
Printing of Buddhist sacred texts
Collapsed around A.D. 935; Nobles fought for power
General Wang Kon achieved power>>>founded a new dynasty (Koryo) and first to unite
the entire peninsula (Korea comes from this)
The Koryo Kingdom
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Rules used Chinese government as a model; kept power and Korea united for 400 years
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Set up Law Codes, established civil service system based on exams, Buddhism grew and
spread, Artisans developed movable metal type and produced the world’s oldest book
printed by this method.
Internal conflicts arose and dangers from outside threats (the Mongols)
1231 the Mongols invaded Korea; forced the royal family to leave and finally after 25
years they surrendered. To remain in power the Koryo king had to accept Mongol rule.
The people were forced to help build ships, so the Mongols could invade Japan. Much
suffering
Mongol power and Koryo Dynasty eventually declined: Yi Song-gye overthrew the
Koryo Dynasty
The Yi Dynasty
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Koreans have control again: lasted for 500 years- on of the world’s longest ruling
families
Set up the capital in Hanseong (present day Seoul)
Still used practices from China: made neo-Confucianism the state philosophy: refused to
support Buddhism
Strengthened Korean traditions and unique identity
One of greatest Yi Kings: Sejong 1394-1450: invented the first instruments for measuring
rain: helped produce water clocks, sundials, and globes: worked to spread literacy: helped
create an alphabet called hangul. This is still the standard writing system in present-day
Korea.
War and Technology
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1592- Japan attacked Korea (heading for China). The Koreans and the Chinese joined
forced and stopped the Japanese attack on land and sea because of the Korean invention
of the iron-covered ship (Turtle Ships)
Korean Struggles
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Fighting the Japanese hurt the Koreans lands. Many farms, villages, and towns had been
destroyed. The Japanese killed or kidnapped many farmers and workers
1600s: the weak Koreans were attacked by the Chinese: The Yi Dynasty was forced to
surrender and had to pay tribute to China’s Manchu rulers. Their relationship remained
tense for many years.