Korea- Culture and HistoryKorea- Culture and History

• Pottery finds indicate that Humans were in the Korean Peninsula since at least 8,000BCE, and probably much further back.

• The first known kingdom in Korea (Gojoseon) was founded in 2,333BCE

Medieval KoreaMedieval Korea• Splits into smaller

kingdoms, usually with a northern kingdom (including Manchuria in China) and southern (which controlled the Peninsula.

• 500-600s, Neo-Confucianism and Buddhism are introduced.

Japanese invasion 1500sJapanese invasion 1500s

• Two attempts are made by Japan to invade and conquer Korea– both are fought off with Chinese assistance.

• Chinese invade in 1627.• 1800s, the Korean kingdom

attempted to close all borders but to China. In 1866, Koreans rise against Catholic missionaries.

Korea out of isolationKorea out of isolation

• 1866- Americans arrive and attempt to open ports– The General Sherman Incident. A U.S. Gunship was sunk by Korean.

• 1876- Japan and Korea sign a trade agreement, opening Korean ports to Japanese trade.

• 1882- Signed a trade treaty with the U.S.

• 1897- Korean Empire declared, but passes under Russian influence.

Korea’s Observation of the Korea’s Observation of the Opium WarsOpium Wars

• Opium Wars: Also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars

• 1st Opium war: 1839-1842

• 2nd Opium War: 1856-1860

• British imported opium from its colonies in India.

• With the draining of silver and a growing number of opium addiction, China confiscates all opium and seizes all trade with Britain.

• Britain comes back with a military expeditionary forces and reopens trade (especially opium).

• Korea wants to remain isolated.

1905- Coming of the Japanese1905- Coming of the Japanese

• 1905- Japan invades Korea during the Russo-Japanese War. Annexes Korea to the Japanese Empire in 1910 and rules it as part of Japan until 1945.

• Korea suffers under Japanese rule, as Korean culture is suppressed and Japanese imposed.

After WWII- Cold War KoreaAfter WWII- Cold War Korea

• Korea is divided into a Russian-controlled North Korea (and a Communist government) and an American- occupied South Korea (with a US supported government)

• June 1950- North Korea (possibly at the orders of Stalin) invades South Korea; USA and UN intervene and send troops.

Korean WarKorean War• UN backed South Korea invades

the North and pushes Communist forces to the Yalu River

• China intervenes; 100,000 Chinese troops drive UN forces back into South Korea.

• Ceasefire, 1954- both sides agree to sit for a Peace Treaty. It has never been signed.

Modern South KoreaModern South Korea• Has emerged as a high tech

industrial giant. One of the Asian “Tigers” of modern industry.

• South Koreans are some of the most “connected” people on Earth- the most computers and cell phones/ person.

• Home to large conglomerate companies known as Chaebol

The North Korean Tower- a symbol The North Korean Tower- a symbol of Communist failureof Communist failure

Modern North KoreaModern North Korea• Is ruled by the dictatorial Kim

Dynasty of Communist Party rulers.

• Command economy is a failure; famine is common, the economy is near collapse (as of 2012).

• Developed nuclear weapons, 2006.

• One of the last totalitarian states on Earth.

• Ended the Armistice Agreement of 1953 on 03/10/13

Is N. Korea a Threat?Is N. Korea a Threat?