Chapter 17 Korea

By 100 BC Chinese civilization entered Korea

Locale makes Korea a request battleground for those seeking to control E. Asia
2 Major physical features
1. Mountains
Cover 70% of Korea
Only 25% of people live on mountains
2. Plains
Most Koreans live on costal plains
3 separate areas of plains
3 separate areas of plains
1. Northeast
2. West coast- capital of both N. and S. Korea
3. Southern

Climate and resources

Temperature climate
North is much colder
Mountains in N. Korea contain coal, iron, lead, copper, and zinc
Korea has literacy rate of 95%
Korea is a homogeneous society- people share a common ethnic and cultural background
Section 2
3 kingdoms dominated Korea
1. Koguryo- located in the north
2. Paekche- located in the southwest
3. Silla- located in the southeast
absorbed many Chinese beliefs and traditions like Buddhism, Confucianism, and Chinese
script
Adapted many beliefs to their own (spirits reside in natural objects)

Powerful Dynasties
668 Silla united all of Korea; remained a single unified state until 1945
Only 3 periods of dynastic rule
1. Silla- (668-918) golden age
Imperialism and Nationalism
The
Age
of
Imperialism
presented
even more difficulties

Korea urged by the west to open its borders

By 1905 Japan won control over Korea
1910- annexed (add territory to ones country) Korea
Japanese imposed harsh rulers on the Koreans
Japanese tried to suppress Korean identity
1945 Koreans celebrated Japanese defeat
USSR occupied the north; US occupied the south (38th parallel)
By 1948 Korea split into N. Korea and S. Korea
War
1950- N. Korea invaded S. Korea
In response the US and allies (UN) sent troops to aid the S Koreans
War ended in stalemate
!953- armistice (end fighting) signed

Left Korea divided at the 38th parallel (DMZ)

S. Korea Today
S. Korea has maintained a large well-equipped army and has developed into a thriving
economy
Govt remains powerful and restricts human rights
S. Korea value hard work, discipline, thrift, and organization
With industrialization there are pros and cons:
Heavy population
family life has changed (nuclear instead of traditional)
Women have gained more rights
Confucianism still thrives
Arranged marriages still common

N. Korea

Closed society under a communist dictator

1948- 1994 Kim II sung (greater Leader) built totalitarian state
Propaganda used to teach complete obedience
Preached juche- self-reliance
Kim jong II took power after the death of the Great Learder
Kim Jong Un took power in 2011 following death of Kim Jong II
Under the Kims:

Some economic progress

More industrial and urbanized
Standard of living lagged