Korean History Essay, Research Paper

A year from 2333B.C. to 1400 AD

The civilization of Korea started around 6000 BC in the Neolithic are. But Korean history really started from 2333 BC. At that time, Korea had four countries. The four countries, are Ko-Gu-Ryo, Pack-Che, Shilla and Ka-Ya, Ka-Ya incorporated with Ko-Gu-Ryo in 200 B.C. because this country couldn’t handle the War between the other countries. At first, one of these three countries, Ko-Gu-Ryo, was strongest and biggest. This country developed toughness and sprightliness by having many years of War with China. The Chinese people were afraid Ko-Gu-Ryo after they had many years of war so that they built the great wall of China for defense. Ko-Gu-Ryo spent a lot of energy to expand their country or the other side, they accepted Buddhism and many kinds of scholarly attainments from the Chinese. However; they kept their strong national identity. Ko-Gu-Ryo was weak by having many wars with many different countries, Ko-Gu-Ryo became stronger. But the King of Ko-Go-Ryo started to having to many parties because his belief that Ko-Go-Ryo indestructible. Privy councilors destroyed the power of their country after 800 years by corruption.

Pack-Che was settled in Han river area in the years between 0 to 900. Pack-Che had a predominant culture and art. At one time, Pack-Che controlled some part of west sea of China and Ku-Shu area in Japan, but it was destroyed by China after 700 years they settled in Han river area but they tried reconstruction work. At that time some of Kings of Pack-Che moved to Ku-Shu area in Japan. And they imparted their own cultures and art to Japan.

Shilla became centralized after 1000 years of history with Ko-Gu-Ryo and Pack-Che. And the other side, Shilla tried to combine with others outside of their country. The Shilla combined with China and successfully made a united country called Chosen. Before unification as Chosen several bitter civil wars were waged in the peninsula.

In 900, these countries had later stages. Shilla was absorbed by Ko-Gu-Ryo in 918. The later Ko-Gu-Ryo was named by Ko-Ryo. Ko-Ryo was the country of marked individuality with an aristocracy. When Ko-Ryo’s society settled, the powerful families joined into a government. And they owned huge amounts of land and at the same time, they made a strong foundation of their country. And their culture was become marked individuality. But internally, their country was conservative and they had a lot of wars with lands outside of their country. Ko-Ryo was destroyed in 1392.

After Ko-Ryo destroyed, Chosen was formed as one country. In 1400, Chosen kingdom was much more civilized than Ko-Ryo and the society of Chosen was controlled by the aristocratic class. Chosen spent a lot of money on citizens and farm areas within the country. Outside of the country, Chosen had commence with China, Japan and other countries. This made them a strong nation. By 1500, commerce and industry, farms, and fisheries were strong. But in 1592, Chosen began 7 years of war between Japan, and in 1636 survived another 30 years of war with China.

By 1910 Chosen lost their country to Japan for 35 years until August 15, 1945 when Korea was return after Japan lost World War II. In addition the Korean people had many of civil wars under Japanese control. The years between 1910 to 1950 is very important time of Korea history.

Korea was refunded the country under a US trusteeship about 5 years later, Korea didn’t have any power to make a new country. So the United States settled in south part of the Korea and Russia settled North part of the Korea. North Korea became communist by Russia and South Korea became democracy by the United States. 1950, South Korea had a 3 years of the war with North Korea. However, the Korean War finished 1953, South and North Korea decided to have an armistice. After the Korean War, South Korea grew very fast. South Korea had been changed seven times of president of South Korea past 42 years. And South Korea had Asian Olympics in 1986 and Seoul Olympics in 1988. But North Korea had been under Kim Jung Il until 1994.

The Republic of Korea became important and one of fast growing countries but the other hand, North Korea became poor and dangerous country. Because North Korea tried to made a nuclear war with South Korea. It is possibly became dangerous war in the War.

However, South Korea grown up really fast and now, South Korea showing problems in economically and politically. And after president of North Korea, Jung-Il Kim, died, North Korea shows an unstable government.