| Joseon Dynasty |
| Near the end of the
Goryeo Dynasty, as the Goryeo society became extremely unstable
due to internal confusion and conflicts with the Ming Dynasty of
China. Yi Seonggye established a new nation, the Joseon Dynasty
in 1392, in order to resolve, both internal and external
difficulties. The new dynasty focused on making the nation rich,
strong and stabilizing people¡¯s lives. In line with those
efforts, the Joseon Dynasty recovered territory up to the
current borderline by the 15th century. In the 17th and 18th
centuries, there started a trend toward modernization in thought
and culture. |
 |
| The efforts to put an end to the
traditional social structure and establish a new society
resulted in the Opening of Korea in 1876. With the opening of
Korea; the nation was put on a fast track for shifting from a
traditional confucianist society, to a modernized one.
Modernization was carried out, slowly, in various areas
including politics, diplomatic relations, transportation, health
care and education. However, the Korean government and
politicians were not prepared for the changing trend, and
experienced extreme confusion over whether to open the country
and to embrace foreign civilization or to avert them. Eventually
the country fell victim to competition among surrounding nations
and was turned into a battlefield of the Sino-Japanese War(1894)
and Russo-Japanese War(1904). |
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