KOREA: Dynamics and Change

Chapter 17 Section 2Sami W.

LESSON QUESTIONSLESSON QUESTIONS•How did Chinese culture

influence Korea?•What are some achievements

of Korean civilization? •How did imperialism affect

Korea?

EARLY TRADITIONS

• From A.D. 100 to A.D. 668 3 kingdoms dominated Korea– Koguryo in the North– Paekche in the Southwest– Sillia in the Southeast

• Absorbed many ideas and customs from China– Buddhism – Confucianism – written script

Spread of Culture

• Culture was spread several ways– China ruled parts of Northern Korea at

times– Refugees fled from China to Korea– Buddhist missionaries– Koreans went to study in China

POWERFUL DYNASTIES• In 668 Silla Kingdom united Korea• Only 3 periods of Dynastic Rule

– Silla: 668-918 – the Golden Age• Traders came from all over• Capital was Kyonju• Buddhist beliefs influenced architecture, sculpture, and

literature– Koryo: 918-1392 – where ‘Korea’ comes from

• Capital was Kaesong• Wang Kon encouraged culture and arts

– Celadon Porcelain was perfected at this time• System of Civil Service Examinations was put into place• Buddhist influence reached height

• Developed the movable METAL type• Fought off Japanese Pirates, but were conquered by the

Mongols

POWERFUL DYNASTIES CONT.

– ChosonChoson• Capital at SeoulCapital at Seoul• Confucianism replaced Confucianism replaced

Buddhism as the system of Buddhism as the system of social ethicssocial ethics

• Acknowledged China’s Acknowledged China’s power and for 500 years power and for 500 years discouraged relations with discouraged relations with other countriesother countries

– Became known as the Became known as the “Hermit Kingdom”“Hermit Kingdom”

• Scholars developed the Scholars developed the Korean alphabet – han’gulKorean alphabet – han’gul

INVASIONS AND ISOLATION

• 1592 – Japanese tried to attack China via Korea– ‘Turtle boats’ – metal-plated ships invented– Much of Korea was destroyed

• Manchus conquered the weakened country in the 1600s– However, Choson remained in power

• For 200 years Korea practiced ISOLATIONISM, the policy of avoiding foreign involvements and contacts – Ports were closed to foreign ships, ideas resisted,

and Christianity was banned

IMPERIALISM & NATIONALISM

• China had supported Korea’s isolation policy, but by the 1800s could not help

• Imperialism powers forced the signing of “unequal treaties” which opened ports and gave foreigners rights like extraterritoriality

• Competed with China and Russia for power of Korea

• 1905 Japan won control• 1910 – Choson dynasty

destroyed and Korea annexed

• ANNEX – to add a territory to one’s own country

• Japan’s rule was harsh but with modern improvements like factories and roads.

• March 1, 1919 Korean nationalists had a huge, peaceful demonstration

• Japanese responded by killing 2,000 and imprisoning 19,000– Continued to hunt down

the leaders of the movement: many of them moved to the U.S., Soviet Union, or China

• During WWII Koreans were forced to fight for Japanese

• Korean Language forbidden and names changed

KOREAN KOREAN NATIONALISMNATIONALISM

JAPANESE JAPANESE RULERULE

King Sejong King Sejong Father of the Korean Father of the Korean

AlphabetAlphabet

• October 9October 9thth is Han’gul Day – is Han’gul Day – dedicated to the Korean Alphabet dedicated to the Korean Alphabet and King Sejongand King Sejong

• During reign from 1418 to 1450 he During reign from 1418 to 1450 he encouraged advances in agriculture, encouraged advances in agriculture, government, science, music, government, science, music, medicine, & astronomymedicine, & astronomy– Ordered scholars to invent rainfall Ordered scholars to invent rainfall

gauge and publish a 112 volume gauge and publish a 112 volume encyclopediaencyclopedia. .

Han’gul – Korean Han’gul – Korean LanguageLanguage

• Before Han’gul, to be literate, one had to know at least 2,00 Chinese characters

• New Alphabet had 17 constants & 11 vowels - simplified to 14 constants & 10 vowels

•Many Confucian scholars scorned the new language

LAST NAMES

• In the boy’s school a Japanese man came in and informed the students he would call their names and they would go home to get their new names

• Had to go to the Police and register• Later the boy went to the cemetery with

his father and grandfather – they felt as if they were a disgrace to the family

THE MORE THE JAPANESE SUPRESSED THE KOREAN CULTURE, THE CLOSER THE KOREANS GREW TO IT.