Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 28

Brief Time Line of Korean History
(Lessons are included throughout the time line)
Note: Romanization is the translation of sounds of a foreign language into English letters. Our English
alphabet does not have sufficient symbols to cover the Korean sound system. It is not possible to
convey the exact Korean pronunciation by means of the English alphabet. Romanization of Korean
words allows those who cannot read Korean to phonetically pronounce it. There are two systems of
rules of Romanization for transliterating from Korean to English. One system, McCune-Reischauer,
was adopted in 1984. Another system was recommended more recently by the Korean government.
This chart will first mention the newer system followed by the McCune-Reischauer system.
I. Early Korea Gojoseon
Baekje
Goguryeo
Silla
Ancestors of Koreans migrated into the peninsula around 4,000 B.C.E.
Creation myth – Tangun (Dangun) and Mt. Paektu
Three Kingdoms Period: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla (Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla)
(Tributary system with China/constant warfare between the three kingdoms)
Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.E. - 935 C.E.) - Silk Road Power Point Lesson
Shamanism and introduction of Buddhism and Confucianism - Confucianism Lesson
Silk Road (migrations and trade with the Middle East, India, China and Japan)
“Four Famous Koreans” Queen Sondak Lesson
II. Unified Silla (668-935 C.E.)
With unification the groundwork for a national culture is established
Silk Road trade flourishes
Gyeongju (ancient capital) and royal tombs (Kyongju)
Bulguksa and Sokkuram Grotto (Pulguksa)
III. Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) (Koryo)
Buddhism influence very strong - Buddhism Lesson
Construction of Haeinsa
Publication of Buddhist scriptures 1087
13th century – movable type
Oldest existing book in world printed on metal type – 1377
Celadons Linda Sue Park’s “A Single Shard”
Mongol Invasions
IV. Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) (Choson) Korea and Confucianism Lesson
King Sejong (1418-1450) Korea’s greatest king - “Four Famous Koreans – King Sejong,
The Firekeeper’s Son, Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth, The Kite Fighters,
and Seesaw Girl
Invention of Hangeul (han’gul)
Rise of Neo-Confucianism
Women’s position declines
Hideyoshi invasions – 1592
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