Download Korea - sdolselchapworld

The earliest Korean kingdom the
Choson was captured by the Hans
in 109bce and the Han continued
colonization of Korea giving a first
glimpse of Chinese culture in
Korea. The Korean kingdoms
especially Koguryo (Blue)
managed to resist Han colonization
but was still under influence.
--Right- 4 main Korean kingdoms—
Koguryo (blue), Silla (red), kaya (pink)
Paekche (green).
The Tang dynasty of China tried
conquering Korea starting with
Koguryo but needed a new
strategic approach to breach
Koguryo’s defenses. They ended
up creating an alliance with the
Silla kingdom and destroying the
Paekche kingdom, and then
eventually the Koguryo’s. There
was then a dispute on how to split
their spoils, and the Silla ended
up fighting with the Tang. The
Silla’s much smaller army proved
a strong defense that turned the
war into a stalemate.
Due to the stand still the Tang’s
eventually came to a deal that
they would withdraw forces in
668 if the Silla agreed to pay
regular tributes, and that the
Silla monarchs submission as a
vassal to the Tang emporer. As
a result the Tang withdrew, and
as the only powerful Kingdom
left in Korea the Silla became
the independent rulers of a
united Korea.
668- late 9th century the Silla monarchs ruled,
and then later 918-1392ce the Koryo dynasty
ruled. During this time Korea underwent
Sinification, or the adoption of chinese
culture, and chinese influence reached its
peak. The Silla kingdom eventually became a
miniature of the Tang with a bureaucracy
similar to the Tangs and the adoption of
chinese writing. The Koreans participated in
the tribute system more than any other
tribute, which gained them respect with
China. That is the reason why China never
attempted to conquer Korea, and Korea
gained access to new riches, technology,
education, and trade.
The Silla rulers built their capital at Kumsong on
the Kyoryjn plain to ditto their Tang counterparts.
Elites made up a large part of the population in
the capital with extended families and slaves,
therefore had many positions in the government.
They set up universities to study Chinese culture,
but favored Buddhism over Confucianism, which
influenced the construction of many wooden
Buddhist temples around the capital. Koreans
learned many Chinese techniques like porcelain
manufacturing, and eventually became more
advanced in porcelain production than china
producing many beautiful pieces of pottery which
were collected by both the Korean and Chinese
elite.
The elite were the only people
in society to be considered
anybody. Eventually the ‘Low
Born’ people became tired of
putting up with there position
of society and starting rising
up against the ruling classes.
This on top of the Mongol
invasion of 1231 turned the
empire into turmoil, and then
in 1392 the Yi dynasty was
established which ruled until
1910.
The main religions were Buddhism and Confucianism which
was introduced by the Chinese. These religions were
vigorously studied by the elites, and many temples covered the
capital Kumsong.
Ceramics became highly
developed after adopted by
the Chinese and was
important for trade
between both China and
Japan. Connections with
these two countries also
helped influence there
fashion.
There culture was a ditto to that of China during Sinification.
Studied Chinese history, and collected Chinese scrolls, documents, and
paintings.
Had a bureaucracy based on the Chinese one, since elite had a high
population in the government they controlled what happened in Korea.
Korea is located on a peninsula which connects Japan and China,
making it an important trade route.
Only the elite were considered to be people. Commoners and
‘Low born’ had no influence on government.