Fix the mistake: Korea, Vietnam, and the East Asian World

Ancient Korea

States began to form on the Korean Peninsula around the 1st century BCE, and the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla stood in a tripartite balance. Influenced by Chinese civilization, they developed their own independent states.

Old Joseon and Han Rule

The legendary oldest state was Old Joseon (the Dangun myth). In 108 BCE, Emperor Wu of the Former Han destroyed Wiman Joseon, established four commanderies including Lelang Commandery, and directly ruled northern Korea. During this period, Han writing, institutions, and culture spread throughout Korea.

  • Lelang Commandery (108 BCE–313 CE): A directly administered Han territory established near present-day Pyongyang
  • Three Han: Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan; small states were divided across southern Korea
The Three Kingdoms Period (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla)
・Goguryeo (around the beginning of the Common Era–668): Northern Korea to Manchuria. A powerful military state. Repelled Sui expeditions (including those in 612). Known for its mounted culture and mural tombs
・Baekje (around the beginning of the Common Era–660): Southwestern Korea. Transmitted Buddhism, Chinese characters, and Confucianism to Japan (in 538 or 552). Maintained close relations with the Yamato government
・Silla (around the beginning of the Common Era–935): Southeastern Korea. The Hwarang system (warrior organizations). Allied with Tang in the 7th century (Silla–Tang alliance)
660: The Tang–Silla alliance destroyed Baekje, and Goguryeo fell in 668 → Silla unified the Korean Peninsula

Relations with Japan

Baekje had particularly close relations with Japan (the Yamato government) and transmitted Buddhism, Chinese characters, Confucianism, civil engineering technology, textiles, and other things to Japan. Immigrants from the Korean Peninsula (people who came from Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla) made major contributions to the formation of ancient Japanese culture.

Practice

  1. State the name of the commandery established by Emperor Wu of the Former Han in northern Korea.
  2. State the name of the Korean state said to have transmitted Buddhism and Chinese characters to Japan.
  3. Which country allied with Tang in the 7th century and unified the Korean Peninsula?

歴史（中国周辺）: related lessons