Early+Korea2

 =**S**= - Social** = P=**- Political** = R=**- Religion** = I=**- Intellectual** = T=**- Trade/Technology** = E=**- Economic System** **

=** **Social:****= Koreans are inspired by both Chinese and Japanese but, they only take little parts from both cultures and change them into their own Korean lifestyle. They represent them as only Koreans even though they are inspired by China and Japan. Korea was able to limit the power of their Korean Confucian bureaucracy. Unlike Chinese society, in which the gentry formed a kind of middle class between the traditional noble families and the peasantry, Korean society was more sharply divided between a smaller upper class and a very lower

= **Political:**= In 1945, Korea achieves independence after 35 years of Japanese rule, but is divided by Russian and American forces. The Allies propose a five-year trusteeship to prepare for a unified Korea, but the Korean people object. A U.S.-Soviet commission is formed to help organize a "provisional Korean democratic government," making Korean independence a playing piece in the new U.S. Soviet conflict. In the North, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is led by Soviet-supported Premier Kim Il Sung. Fighting flares across the 38th parallel. The South Korean army is weakened after a revolt by Communist elements. The constitution allows only two terms in office.

= **Religion's:**= -Buddhism: Found by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) -Confucianism: Found by Confucius -Christianity: Found by Apostle Paul

= **Intellectual:**= Korea made their own alphabet called, Hangeul. Instead of letters, this alphabet is based on sounds. There are 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels. Every letter or character makes a different sound. The Hangeul alphabet is considered to be one of the most efficient alphabets in the world and has garnered unanimous praise from language experts for its scientific design and excellence. The vowels, on the other hand, were created in the image of the sky, land, and man. That is "." resembles the roundness of the sky,  represents the flat land and  is the image of a standing man. The other vowels "(a), (ya), (o), (yo), (o), (yo), (u), (yu)" are variations of there three basic vowels. The creation of Hangeul was truly a remarkable accomplishment. Creating consonants based on a person's speech organs and vowels based on shapes of the sky, land, and man was truly a revolutionary and unprecedented process.

= **Trade:**= Korean's transport their goods by train's or railroads. They transport large amounts of food grain and beef. Materials for reconstruction, such as cement and steel, are made domestically to reduce dependence on imports. Industrialization based on exports began in 1962. Financial incentives such as tax-free imports of raw materials encourage the production of export goods, stimulating growth in the textile, electrical machine, and small appliance industries.

**Technology:**
-__Gunpowder:__ Used in hand grenades and mines -__Printing Techniques:__ Use carved blocks to produce the worlds first printed book -Nautical Compass -Suspension Bridge -__Abacus:__ A device used for doing mathematical calculations by moving beads along rods.

= **Economic System:**= Foreign aid comprises almost half the national budget through 1960. At the end of the decade, the focus is on increased industrial production. Materials essential for reconstruction, such as cement and steel, are made domestically to reduce dependence on imports. A dramatic drop in foreign aid hits import-dependent industries by cutting the supply of raw materials, sparking an economic downturn. The Economic Planning Board switches from a positive list system of import controls to a negative list. Large-scale imports of major grains are allowed.

= **Time frame of culture/civilizations**= __The Three Kingdoms:__ -Koguryo was the first to adopt Buddhism as the royal creed in 372 -Paekche the second in 384 -Shilla the last in 528.

__Koguryo__ Established in 37 BC and destroyed in 668 AD, the Koguryo Kingdom lasted for 705 years and played a big role in the development of Northeast Asia.established an academy to educate the nobility and compiled a state history consisting of 100 volumes before the introduction of Buddhism. Koguryo Kingdom was thought by Koreans to be one of the origin of modern Korea, but as the Chinese view, it is nothing to do with Korea.

__Paekche__ is one of three competing kingdoms to emerge during the Han dynasty in Korea. The Han Period refers to the Chinese Han Dynasty, which during this time expanded into Korea. By the 5th and 6th centuries AD, three states developed in Korea, Koguryo, Shilla, and Paekche. People of the Paekche state built step pyramids and used the keyhold-shaped tombs called Kofun. Paekche also compiled its history in the early fourth century prior to 384.

__Shilla__ Only Shilla undertsood compilation of its history immediately following the adoption of Buddhism. It reached the peak of power and prosperity in the middle of the eighth century.Shilla was torn to pieces by rebel leaders such as Kyon Hwon who proclaimed the Latter Paekche (Hu Paekche) state in Chongju in 900, and Kung Ye who proclaimed to Latter Koguryo (Hu Koguryo) state, the following year at Kaesong.

= **Short bio of important leaders=
 * Yi Song-Gye was the Koyro general and he was the founder of Choson Dynasty. He found Seoul which is the capital of South Korea. Yi Song-Gye also invented the turtle ship which, was the famous weapon system. The turtle ship is probably the most famous class of vessel to exist in Korean naval history. The initial design of this craft only generally resembles that of those built later in the 16th century which culminated in the famous battleships of 1592. **

= **How The Three Kingdoms Came To Power**=
 * All three kingdoms were found in 668 A.D. Koguryo was the first to adopt Buddhism as the royal creed in 372; Paekche, the second in 384; and Shilla, the last in 528. Thus, all Three Kingdoms developed highly sophisticated state organizations on the Korean Peninsula, adopting Confucian and Buddhist hierarchical structures with the king at the pinnacle. State codes were promulgated to initiate a legal system to rule the people. In this process, Koguryo annexed Puyo, and Shilla conquered Kaya. The Three Kingdoms were competing with each other in strengthening Buddhist-Confucian state power, in effort toward serious territorial expansion. **

= **Reason for fall of culture/civilizations**= **
 * Korea was less influenced by the Chi­nese, accepting Confucianism and Buddhism only in the early 500s. Although Silla was ini­tially the least militaristic of the kingdoms, troubles with marauding Japanese and constant pressure from the Paekje and Koguryo king­doms led it to develop an effective army. One as­pect of this rising military strength was the Hwarang, elite soldiers with a chivalric code of leadership, unquestioned service to the country, and religious and ethical zeal-one of the pri­mary forces in Silla's bid for control of the penin­sula. The acceptance of Buddhism as the state religion gave new impetus to cultural develop­ment. By 562, Silla had absorbed the neighbor­ing Kaya states and was gobbling up northern Paekje and eastern Koguryo territory.

= **What makes it unique?**= **
 * Being the only divided nation in the world makes Korea very unique. But the current inter-Korean relationship is far from a hostile confrontation. A series of inter-Korean summits and Koreans’ desire to reunite with their families have turned five decades of confrontation and hostility into ties of reconciliation and cooperation. Korean's also invented paper, and many other thins. The clothing and language is also different from every other country. Koreans are inspired by other but, they but they take parts of everything to make them self unique.

=** Cites Used:**=


 * Hanes. World History Continuity and Change. USA: practice hall, 1991.**

"Hidden Korea". 1-30-09 .
 * Religions:

Kingdoms: K, Lee. "Korea's History". Webmaster. 1-30-09  **