Koguryo (37 BC – 668) Established an academy to educate the nobility and compiled a state history consisting of 100 volumes. First to adopt Buddhism as official religion in 372. Competed with the Shilla and Paekche kingdoms for dominance, but was in fierce conflict with Sui and Tang kingdoms of China.

The Parhae Kingdom (18 BC-660) A group of Koguryo and Malgal people who migrated to Chinese-controlled territory, they were ruled primarily by the Koguryo (Korean) people, until they were conquered by the Chinese. The ruling class later moved south and joined the Koryo dynasty.

Shilla Kingdom (57 BC – 668) Developed its Hwarang (Flower of Youth Corps), a voluntary military organization. These troops were trained in the arts of war, literary taste and community life, and Buddhist-Confucian virtues. Erected a huge temple and pagoda, which stood until the Mongol invasion of the 13th century. Eagerly sought to learn about China’s culture, especially Chinese Buddhist doctrine, architecture, and Chinese classics.

Unified Silla (or Shilla) Dynasty: (668-935) Unified the three kingdoms of the Korean peninsula — Silla, Paekche, and Koguryo. The old Silla kingdom had conquered the kingdom of Paekche to the southeast in 660 and the northern Korean kingdom of Koguryo (largest of the three) in 668.

Koryo Dynasty: (918-1392) During this period the country began to form its own cultural tradition distinct from the rest of east Asia, and it is from the name Koryo that the Western word “Korea” is derived. This dynasty was formed by General Wang Kon, who in 918 overthrew the state of Later Koguryo.

Yi Dynasty (also called Choson/Chosun or Joseon Dynasty): (1392-1910) The last and longest-lived imperial dynasty of Korea. Founded by General Yi Song-gye, who established the capital at Hanyang (present-day Seoul), the kingdom was named Choson after the state of the same name that had dominated the Korean peninsula in ancient times. But the regime is also frequently referred to as the Yi dynasty, after its ruling family.

Here are some great websites that I am sure will help you. You will need to remove all the spaces from these links.

1. http://www. lifeinkorea.com/information/ history1.cfm

2. http://www. asianinfo.org/asianinfo/ korea/history.htm

3. http://www. fsmitha.com/h3/ h24kor.html

4. http:// myhome.shinbiro.com/ ~mss1/history.html

5. http:// media.graniteschools.org/ Curriculum/korea/ history.htm

Best wishes to you!!

There is limited information on Korea prior to the Three Kingdoms Period, which is generally accepted to have begun in the first century B.C. The Three Kingdoms were Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje. Goguryeo was the northern kingdom, Baekje in the soutwest, and Silla in the southeast. Life in these kingdoms was very similar, though Baekje and Goguryeo were were more strongly influenced by China than was Silla.

The three kingdoms were united under Silla in 668. In this united period, which lasted until 935, Buddhism and Confucianism gained a strong hold in Korean culture.

In 935, the Unified Silla kingdom was conquered by the Goryeo dynasty, which lasted until 1392, when it was replaced by the Joseon dynasty. Under the Goryeo dynasty, art and culture flourished. Korea’s famous celadon pottery dates back to this period, as does the Triptaka Koreana, a carving of Buddhist scripture onto 80,000 woodblocks. It is now housed in Haeinsa, a temple in South Korea, about an hour from Daegu.

The Joseon dynasty was founded by General Yi Seong-gye, who overthrew the last Goryeo emperor in 1392. Yi became King Taejo. The Joseon dynasty would last until the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, making it one of the world’s longest-running monarchies.

In 1394, under King Taejo, the Korean capital was moved to what is modern-day Seoul. Under the rule of Taejo’s son, King Taejong, a strict caste system was enacted and Buddhism was de-emphasized in favor of Confucianism, which became to official national philospophy.

King Sejong, who came to power in 1418, is considered by Koreans to be one of the most important individuals in their history. It was under his order that the utterly brilliant hangeul (alternately romanized as “hangul”) alphabet was developed. Though Chinese writing maintained a strong hold in Korea until the mid-twentieth century, Koreans are fiercely proud of the hangeul.

There were many Japanese invasions in the 1590’s. After an uncomfortable truce was struck with Japan in 1598, Korea became increasingly isolationist, feeling the old enemy of Japan on one side and the new Qing dynasty of China on the other. It was during this period that Korea became known as the “Hermit Kingdom.”

In the 19th century, Korea found itself caught in the midst of strife between Japan and China. Much of the first Sino-Japanese War was fought on Korean soil. China’s defeat in 1894 forced them to sign a treaty officially guaranteeing no interference in Korea. In 1897, feeling continued pressure from Japan, King Gojong moved to make a show of power by declaring the Korean empire. Japan was unimpressed.

After Japan’s defeat of the Russian navy in 1905, Korea was forced to sign a treaty with Japan, officially becoming a protectorate of that nation. In 1910, the Japanese annexed Korea. Though some members of the royal family continued to live in Korea, this officially ended their rule. Imperial Prince Ui died in 1955 and, though his descendants live on, he is officially considered to be the last of the Royal line.

I hope this would help! ^_^

Aja!