Abstract
This paper presents a study of Confucian influence on Korean history, especially during the Choson period. The paper pays especial reference to the tributary relationship between Korea and China from the earliest period through the modern era. The study examines the Choson Kingdom's claim to be the "purest" Confucian state versus the reality of the application of the religion to the Korean body politic.

From the Paper
"The Choson Kingdom (AD 1392-1910) once considered itself the last `true Confucian' state, even though the kingdom embodied several traits that would indicate otherwise. Confucianism, after all, had been developed in China--not Korea--by the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his disciples. Since Confucianism's rise during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- AD 220), the Chinese state has always practiced it to some degree, whether in peace or wartime, and even when conquered and ruled by the non-Chinese Mongol Empire during the Age of Disunion."

Tags:confucianism, korea, choson

Abstract
The paper looks at the importance of learning and education in the days of the Koryo and Choson dynasties. The paper discusses how in the case of the Koryo Dynasty, this epoch in Korean history is noteworthy for the introduction of the merit-based civil service test and for the establishment of the Higher Education Institution - the Kook Ja Kam. As well, the paper describes how the period saw an apparent engagement with educational issues by the King Sungjong - though it is not clear what specific measures he introduced beyond those cited above. The paper shows how the period was characterized by improvements in general education and by an effort to furnish the people with well-educated physicians who could represent the central government in a capable fashion. The paper discusses how in contrast, the literature seems to indicate that there was a precipitous decline in the attention and care devote to education within Korea during the Choson Dynasty - though this decline did not occur immediately.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at the importance of learning and education in the days of the Koryo and Choson dynasties. In the case of the Koryo Dynasty, this epoch in Korean history is noteworthy for the introduction of the merit-based civil service test and for the establishment of the Higher Education Institution - the Kook Ja Kam. As well, the period saw an apparent engagement with educational issues by the King Sungjong - though it is not clear what specific measures he introduced beyond those cited above. In any event, the period was characterized by improvements in..."

Tags:education, koryo, choson

Abstract
This paper reviews the history of Korean society under the leadership of the Choson Dynasty and the influence that Confucianism had on this period. According to this paper, this was a period of time in which Buddhism was discouraged.

From the Paper
"The Choson Dynasty came to power after the fall of the Koryo dynasty in 1392, and endured for 519 years. The Choson dynasty was founded on the principles of Confucianism, and can in fact be called a strict Confucian state, in which Buddhism was suppressed. As we will see, Confucian principles would become the foundation of every aspect of society in the Choson dynasty. The Choson kingdom was founded by Yi-Song-gye. Over the 519 years that it lasted, 27 kings of the Yi dynasty ruled."

Tags:korea, choson, confucius

Abstract
This paper explains that the society of the Choson Dynasty was purely male-oriented, from polygamy for men to monogamy for women. Women were the suppressed class, subservient to the will of men. The author points out that the "samchong chido", or the rules for women, defined the ethical and moral standards that the women of the Choson dynasty had to observe no matter what. The paper relates that Choson women had a degree of freedom in their complete control of the household, including management of the household, the preparation for ritual ceremonies and festivals, and the education of the children.

From the Paper
"Even in the childhood, girls and boys had different status and ranking where the boys were taught and educated, like mathematics, from the age of ten that helped them in their future years, while any girl at the same age of ten was told to stay at home and lead a secluded life from then on. At home, the only activity for the little girls was to rear silkworms and after than spin cloth from the thread produced. In fact this was the only available employment for the Choson women in that era."

Tags:inheritance, polygamy, rules, household, divorce

Abstract
This paper explains that the Choson dynasty is marked by the creation of the Korean alphabetic script, the establishment of the yangban, a new aristocracy, and a shift to Confucianism. The author points out that during the Choson Dynasty, many events happened in the West: Columbus discovered America, the Protestant Reformation divided Europe, and modern nationalism resulted in powerful states like Germany, Italy, and Russia and the Industrial Revolution. The author believes that the Japanese domination changed the unique culture of Korea in many ways, basically robbing the people of the Choson Dynasty of their own ways.

From the Paper
"In addition, the Korean people began to lose interest in the study of martial arts. The study of martial arts, including weapons, was banned to everyone but the military. The HwaRangDo, whose roots lay in the Buddhist teachings, eventually lost its importance among young people.
While Korea was under Japanese control, many things changed. All competitive sports and martial arts were forbidden. Only the military, which was now under Japanese control, could practice martial arts (Lancaster, 2002). SooBakGi was practiced secretly and soon changed its name again to SooBakDo. Japanese combat arts were first seen in Korea during this time. The people of Korea showed a great deal of interest in this type of fighting."

Tags:japan, alphabet, confucianism, martial, soobakgi

Abstract
The paper uses a chapter on the Choson dynasty in Korea and describes the who, what, where, and how of the various advancements in Korean society. The paper highlights the chief factors illustrating the cultural and technological advancements of the Choson society in ancient Korea.

From the Paper
"The Choson Period in Korea can be associated with Confucianism, which was popular during roughly the same era in Korea's larger and influential neighbor, China. Several of the documents in this chapter reveal the sort of concern which one would expect of officials who follow Confucian philosophy. While the larger chapter is describing this age in Korea for the reader, the authors use a number of documents that are written in a fashion that illustrates the concerns of Confucian civil servants as well as they illustrate this period in Korean History. In this paper I will discuss these documents to identify the various authors' opinions about..."

Tags:korea, culture, history

Abstract
The writer of this paper gives an in-depth account of how women were treated during the Choson dynasty. Confucian marriages under the Choson system introduced and encouraged pervasive elements of sexist discrimination which resulted in virtual doom for the woman of Korea. The writer details the strict repression of women's rights in familial, educational, political and legal spheres which gave the dynasty the unfortunate title of "the dark age for women's culture and women in general." This paper also examines the conflict between traditional attitudes and the imported Confucian ideals on Korean society.

From the Paper
"Thus, a woman's life with her husband was hardly freer than the life she formerly led with her father. Indeed, it appears that she became even more of a victim of sexism and mind-control in the house of her husband and his family. During her married life, a woman of the Choson dynasty often faced a joyless life of isolation, severe regimentation, and the constant threat of expulsion. However, if a woman outlived her husband, the oppression facing her would not end."

Tags:woman, women, rights, culture, religion, asia, history, korea, art, religion

Abstract
This twelve-page undergraduate paper is a discussion of some of the main social and political developments that took place in Korea over the late Choson period. Every one of the changes was marked by a pattern of reform versus opposition. In part, this is explained by the opposite movements, the first towards enlightenment and the second towards tradition.

From the Paper
"At the beginning of the late Choson dynasty, power was concentrated in royal families so that the peasants became victims of corruption and oppression. The social and political developments during that period very often amounted to real revolutions. The peasants fought against unfair conditions and abuse, and their goals were reform, justice, and most especially equality. These peasants formed armies, and the most striking example was the Tonghak peasant army. The leaders during period were also trying to bring about reforms. Both the peasants and the leaders had to deal with a conflict of ideas."

Tags:social, political, changes

Abstract
This paper will discuss the status and position of women in Koryo and Choson, which are integral parts of ancient Korean history and civilization. An attempt will be made to trace the status of women throughout these two eras, and to highlight their restrained home-based condition within a primarily patriarchal societal structure.

Abstract
This paper examines how, although Korean women have significantly more rights than they did in earlier history, including partaking in the government, Confucian tradition remains strong, especially in South Korea. It looks at how, when it comes to lack of freedom, the women of the Choson Dynasty from 1392 to 1910 had few parallels in the world. It explores how, for centuries, they were forced to follow a thoroughly restricted life as dictated by stringent Neo-Confucian moral standards.

From the Paper
"Prior to the introduction of the Choson Dynasty, a wedding was held in the bride's home. The new couple lived in her house to the birth of the first child and then moved to the groom's. This was usually about a year after the marriage. During the early Choson period, however, the bride and groom had their wedding at the husband's house, where the couple immediately established a permanent residence. Because this was such a major change from the previous cultural norm, a compromise was instead found between the old ways and those of Confucius: The wedding was held at the bride's home, but the groom only remained at the bride's home for one night. The pair then moved permanently to husband's house."

Tags:confucianism, tradition, koryo, buddhism