Women During the Joseon Dynasty Part 1

Women During the Joseon Dynasty Part 2

The Kisaeng, Joseon's Courtesans

Window on Korean Culture - 3 Confucianism

Joseon was the last dynastic kingdom of <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Korea" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Korea</a>, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom was founded following the aftermath of the overthrow of <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/Kingdom-of-Goryeo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Goryeo</a> in what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul. The kingdom's northernmost borders were expanded to the natural boundaries at the rivers of Amrok and Tuman through the subjugation of the Jurchens. During its 500-year duration, Joseon encouraged the entrenchment of Confucian ideals and doctrines in Korean society. Neo-Confucianism was installed as the new state's ideology. <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Buddhism" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buddhism</a> was accordingly discouraged, and occasionally the practitioners faced persecutions. Joseon consolidated its effective rule over the territory of current Korea and saw the height of classical Korean culture, trade, literature, and science and technology. In the 1590s, the kingdom was severely weakened due to Japanese invasions. Several decades later, Joseon was invaded by the Later Jin dynasty and the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/Qing-dynasty" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Qing dynasty</a> in 1627 and 1636–1637 respectively, leading to an increasingly harsh isolationist policy, for which the country became known as the "hermit kingdom" in Western literature. After the end of these invasions from Manchuria, Joseon experienced a nearly 200-year period of peace and prosperity, along with cultural and technological development. What power the kingdom recovered during its isolation waned as the 18th century came to a close. Faced with internal strife, power struggles, international pressure, and rebellions at home, the kingdom declined rapidly in the late 19th century.

Visual Timelines

Joseon Dynasty Timeline

Joseon Dynasty Timeline

Prologue

Founding and Early Reforms

Taejo of Joseon

Hanyang becomes new capital

Jeongjong of Joseon

Taejong of Joseon

Paper currency initiated

Sejong the Great

Danjong of Joseon

Sejo of Joseon

Seongjong of Joseon

Yeonsangun of Joseon

Golden Age and Cultural Flourishing

Jungjong of Joseon

Myeongjong Joseon: Between Greater and Lesser Yun Factions

Seonjo of Joseon: Kingdom Divided

Japanese and Manchu Invasions

Japanese Invasion of Korea

Gwanghaegun of Joseon: Unification and Restoration

1623 Coup and Yi Gwal's Rebellion

First Manchu Invasion of Korea

Second Manchu invasion

Period of Isolation and Internal Strife

200-year period of peace in Joseon Korea

Hyojong of Joseon: Strengthening Joseon

Hyeonjong of Joseon: Factionalism and Famine

Sukjong of Joseon: Path to Modernization

Gyeongjong of Joseon

Yeongjo of Joseon: Unity and Advancement

Jeongjo of Joseon

Decline and Opening to the World

Sunjo of Joseon

Heonjong of Joseon

Cheoljong of Joseon

Gojong of Joseon

French Campaign against Korea

United States expedition to Korea

Donghak Peasant Revolution

First Sino-Japanese War

Epilogue

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