Chosôn Korea Also spelled Joseon (new romanization) Korean Society, August 5, 2013

Chosôn Korea Outline History Present – Divided Korea 27 Jul 1953 – armistice ending the war 25 Jun 1950 – Korean War 15 Aug 1945 – Liberation from Japan 1910 – Japan’s colony. End of Chosôn dynasty 1905 – Russo-Japanese War. Korean Protectorate 1894 – Tonghak Rebellion – Sino-Japanese War 1876 – Treaty of Kanghwa – Japan’s forced entry into Korea 1860 – ascension to the throne of King Kojong Early 1800’s – persecution of Catholics and scattered uprisings Reign of King Yôngjo Late 1600’s – Confucianization of family and lineage 1592 – Hideyoshi Invasion early 1500’s – Confucian debates (who’s on the money?) 1446 – King Sejong and the invention of Hangul 1392 – Founding of the dynasty by Yi Sônggye Koryô (Goryeo) – 918 – 1392 Unified Silla – 935 Three Kingdoms (Silla, Paekche, Koguryô) 57 bce – 668 Three Han tribes – pre-historic Ancient states (mytholical states) Pak Hyôkkôse, and Tan’gun Alternate spellings Paekche – Baekje; Koguryô – Goguryeo; Pak Hyôkkôse – Bak Hyeokgeose; Tan’gun - Dangun

1910 – Japan’s colony. End of Chosôn dynasty 1905 – Russo-Japanese War. Korean Protectorate 1894 – Tonghak Rebellion – Sino-Japanese War 1876 – Treaty of Kanghwa – Japan’s forced entry into Korea 1860 – ascension to the throne of King Kojong Early 1800’s – persecution of Catholics and scattered uprisings Reign of King Yôngjo Late 1600’s – Confucianization of family and lineage 1592 – Hideyoshi Invasion early 1500’s – Confucian debates (who’s on the money?) 1446 – King Sejong and the invention of Hangul 1392 – Founding of the dynasty by Yi Sônggye

Major Eras with the Chosôn period 1910 – Japan’s colony. End of Chosôn dynasty 1905 – Russo-Japanese War. Korean Protectorate 1894 – Tonghak Rebellion – Sino-Japanese War1800s 1876 – Treaty of Kanghwa – Japan’s forced entry into Korea 1860 – ascension to the throne of King Kojong Early 1800’s – persecution of Catholics and scattered uprisings Reign of King Yôngjo1700s Late 1600’s – Confucianization of family and lineage1500s 1592 – Hideyoshi Invasion early 1500’s – Confucian debates (who’s on the money?)1500s 1446 – King Sejong and the invention of Hangul1400s 1392 – Founding of the dynasty by Yi Sônggye

Five centuries of the Chosôn dynasty 1800s 1700s 1600s 1500s 1400s The founding

1800s -- chaos and disintegration 1700s – perfection as a Confucian state 1600s -- the great transformation 1500s -- philosophical heyday 1400s -- King Sejong and the highpoint The founding

1800s -- chaos and disintegration 1700s – perfection as a Confucian state 1600s -- the great transformation with a war thrown in here (1592) 1500s -- philosophical heyday 1400s -- King Sejong and the highpoint The founding

Yi Sônggye (I Seonggye) – the general Yi Pangwon – his son Chông Mongju (Jeong Mongju) – the loyalist

Chông Mongju’s sijo Though I die and die again, Though I die one hundred deaths, After my bones have turned to dust, Whether my soul exists or not, My red heart, forever loyal to my lord, Will never fade away.

Yi Sônggye and Ch’oe Yông The futile battle against the Ming With longing for the Yuan? The historic reverse course Return to the capital (Kaesông) And take-over of the government

Four years behind the scenes Replacing the king Setting up the new dynasty Determining who is loyal to whom Finally, the declaration of the new kingdom in 1392

1400s A time of King Sejong (1418 – 1450)

Dynastic cycle theory The best king is the third or fourth High point of the dynasty Taxes roll in, no opposition The Cultural King

Medical encyclopedia Pharmacological encyclopedia Maps of the entire territory Invasion of Tsushima Rain gauges around the country Astronomical observatories Music Ritual

Hangul The crowning achievement of a long list of achievements More later….

Printing Poetry (using hangul) Biography of the Buddha

1500s Debates on Confucianism Inspired by Zhu Xi “Perfection”

Show me da money

1592 Hideyoshi’s invasion

Results of the (failed) Invasion Change of government in Japan – Tokugawa shogunate ( ) Change of government in China – Fall of Ming, rise of Qing ( ) No change in Chosôn – Remarkable!

1600s Recovery from the war Recovery from the loss of “older brother” Ming

Late 1600s Complete Confucianization Loss of Inheritance for daughters Primary role of eldest son “Big House” formation Agnatic Adoption Patrilocal Marriage Change in Village formation

Late 1600s A time of change, Shows resilience, flexibility, pragmatic nature of Chosôn society and government

1700s King Yôngjo, 1724 – 1776 Great King Tragic King The death of Prince Sado

1800s Decline Persecution of Catholics Rebellion, peasant uprisings’ ascension of King Kojong -- founding of Tonghak

1800s 1876 – Japanese and the treaty of Kanghwa

Tonghak 1860 – Choe Che-u 1864 – executed Choe Shihyông – second leader Tonghak Rebellion – 1894 Led to the Sino-Japanese War of Changed name to Cheongdo-gyo

Sino-Japanese War Took Korea away from China Set up its own “empire” Set up to be gobbled up by Japan Struggle for independence

Russo-Japanese War 1905 First defeat of a European power by an Asian country Settled by the Treaty of Portsmouth Led to the Protectorate

Annexation Korea was annexed to the Japanese empire 1910

Legacy Criticized as pre-modern Prior to democracy Ignoble end No dynasty ends nobly But a noble dynasty Historic 518 years

Evaluation Was it a “successful” dynasty? Long-lived – what does that mean? War and Peace dynamic What is your vote?