Background
Currently, Korea is divided into two political entities - North and South Korea. However, it was not always like that. Korea, over the past 2 millennia, has experienced all sorts of political power shifts. Korea has experienced everything from colonial Japanese rule to the power of an empire. These changes of power are reflected in art of the time period. However, most time periods hod a common trait - one central, authoritative leader.
The majority of Korean interaction with other regions has been with other Asian countries. As previously mentioned, Japan had a period of colonial rule over the Korean region. As we will study later, Chinese Confucianism had its impact in Korean society as well. Korea also had its own involvement in the Silk Road trade network, a period of prosperous trade throughout Eurasia.
Chinese Confucian beliefs create a high respect for elders in society. There is some form of a age hierarchy. In traditional Korean practice, women were confined to the house to perform household duties. They learned subordination. During the late 19th century, women began to emerge in society with increasing roles in society. In 1948, with the formation of the Republic of Korea, women gained constitutional equality in public life, education, and work. Despite legal equality, there is still a slight gender imbalance in housework and professional fields, showing that Korea is still a patriarchal society.
The majority of Korean interaction with other regions has been with other Asian countries. As previously mentioned, Japan had a period of colonial rule over the Korean region. As we will study later, Chinese Confucianism had its impact in Korean society as well. Korea also had its own involvement in the Silk Road trade network, a period of prosperous trade throughout Eurasia.
Chinese Confucian beliefs create a high respect for elders in society. There is some form of a age hierarchy. In traditional Korean practice, women were confined to the house to perform household duties. They learned subordination. During the late 19th century, women began to emerge in society with increasing roles in society. In 1948, with the formation of the Republic of Korea, women gained constitutional equality in public life, education, and work. Despite legal equality, there is still a slight gender imbalance in housework and professional fields, showing that Korea is still a patriarchal society.
Political Timeline
- Three Kingdoms (57 BCE - 668 CE): ancient Korean kingdoms dominate Korean peninsula
- North South States Period (698 CE – 926 CE): 2 states of Silla and Balhae dominate their respective region
- Goryeo (918 CE - 1392 CE): ruling dynasty of Korea
- Joseon (1392 CE - 1897 CE): Korean state
- The Korean Empire (1897 CE - 1910 CE)
- Japanese Colonial rule (1910 CE - 1945 CE): Empire of Japan seizes control of Korea
- Division of Korea (1945 CE - present day): Territory of 2 distinct sovereign states