Korea's history and culture are linked to those of China and Japan due to its geographical position between the two countries. Korea received influence from China in particular, as the Chinese Han Dynasty established a military colony there in 108 BC, bringing Chinese traditions of government, writing, and farming methods. Over subsequent centuries, three separate kingdoms ruled Korea and Chinese influence continued through cultural exchanges like Buddhism and Confucianism. Korea also improved upon Chinese inventions and spread its own culture to Japan.

1. Ch. 12. sec. 3

2.  Read the excerpt on the top of p. 197
 FocusQuestion: How are Korea’s history and
culture linked to those of China and Japan?

4.  Covered by low, steep
mountains
 T’aebaek runs along the
eastern coast
 What kind of difficulties would
this present?
 Most people live on the
western coast
 Farming plains
 5400 miles of coast
 Seafood
 Lots of fishing
 Borders China

5.  Shared culture and technology
 “Bridge” from China to Japan
 Note: not actual bridge 
 ChineseHan Dynasty set up a military colony
in Korea in 108 B.C.
 Brought Chinese traditions
 Government
 Writing
 Farming methods
 Look at map on p. 198- Discuss #1-3

6. 3 separate kingdoms, 100 B.C.- 676 A.D.
 (see map on p. 198)
 Silla Dynasty, 668-935 A.D.
 Koryo Dynasty, 918-1392 A.D.
 Choson Dynasty, 1392- 1910 A.D.

7.  Focus on arts
 Growth of Buddhism
 Trade with China
 Civil service exam (like
China)
 Only aristocrats, no peasants
(not like china)
 Created conflict between
aristocrats and peasants
 Peasants overthrow the
Silla Dynasty

8.  Spread of Confucianism
and Buddhism
 Improved many
Chinese inventions
 Porcelain- made celedon
(porcelain with blue-
green glaze)
 When Mongols invaded,
the art of celadon
making was lost

9.  Reduced Buddhism, focused on
Confuscianism
 King Sejong- most celebrated Korean king
 Replaced Chinese writing with hangul writing
 Look at example on p. 200
 Easy to use
 Increased literacy rate
 Japan invaded on its way to China
 Used turtle ships to defeat the Japanese