Sng-gye Yi - King Taejo of Chosn, he was also the founder and the first king of the Chosun
dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Koryo Dynasty. He was chosen to lead the
invasion to Liadong peninsula, but at Wuihwa Island, he decided to revolt and took over Gaesong and the
Koryo nation. He dethroned King Gongyang and took over the throne, ending the Koryo dynasty.
King Sejong King Sejong was the fourth king of the Choson Dynasty of Korea. He is best known for
creating the native Korean alphabet Hangul, and is also credited with technological advances during his
reign, -
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(Neo-)Confucianization (with respect to government, the familiy) family:chokbo(chesa(-
)
) prohibited marriage within same lineage, shift from male & female inheritance to male
inheritance (in terms of wealth)
Gov: examination system, idea that ruler govern in an interest of the welfare of people (ex: land
reform), Buddhism lost power in government
Civil service examinations - The kwago were the national civil service examinations in the Choson
dynasties of Korea. Kwago measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also
of technical subjects. These were the primary route for most people to achieve positions in the
aristocracy.
The ladder of success More difficult for people below elite yangban status to break into the upper
level. It was possible/easy to move down but it is very difficult to move up. mostly downward fluidity,
upward monopolization.
Yang ban - The yangban were well-educated male Confucian scholars who were part of the upper-class
ruling elite in Korea. The name Yang ban refers to two kind of classes, which are Munban, the literary
class, and Muban, the martial class
The Chosn social order - The Choson formed a very strict class system that greatly affected the
economy. The king was at the top of the system, while the yangbans and government officials and
generals were below him. Yangbans were influential scholars during the Choson Dynasty. The middle
class consisted of a few merchants and craftsmen.
Sadaebu/literati The SADAEBU class, which emerged at the later period of the Koryo era, embraced
Sung Confucianism as their spiritual guide.
central vs. local power (again)
hyangni Hyangnis were local officials usually from lower class. They typically served for life in
hereditary posts. The hyangni of each county had an ambassador in the capital who was charged with
communicating between them and the central government, neither of yangban or commoners, collected
taxes, kept local and provincial government records, did police work, served as census takers.
chungin - a small middle class of government employees in Chosuns social hierarchy system, middle
men, a subelite class of technical specialists in Choson.
Chinese world order The traditional Chinese world order utilised the tribute system to place China at
the centre of the civilised world. In exchange for recognising China's superiority, other states were
granted permission to trade with China. It was this China centric world order in 1517 that European ships
sailed into. The Chinese perceived each European country as just another nation drawn to China in the
way Siam, Japan and others were. The European maritime powers however saw the tribute system as a
means to an end not an end in and of itself. After initial attempts to use the system to gain competitive
advantage over their rivals, the Europeans played only a nominal role within it.
sadae (serving the great) It was the political and philosophical in system which Korea paid tribute
to China during the Chosn dynasty, and it had far reaching consequences in both Chosn culture and
politics. Politically, sadae ideology served in helping to preserve peace with China for hundreds of years
throughout the Chosn dynasty.
tributary system The tributary system was the form for conducting diplomatic and trade relations with
China before the fall of the Ch'ing dynasty in 1911. The system involved exchanges of gifts between
foreign rulers and the Chinese emperor. Foreigners benefited because the return gifts from the Chinese
were always generous and the very best that an advanced civilization could offer. In addition, the Chinese
emperor confirmed the foreign ruler in office, providing a form of legitimacy. In return, the foreigners
adopted a posture of subjugation, thereby confirming the superiority of Chinese civilization and the
legitimacy of the Chinese emperor. The system was frequently expanded into large-scale commercial
trade which was greatly enjoyed by Chinese merchant and foreigner alike.
Hopae (identification tags) - Hopae were identification tags carried by Koreans during the Choson
Dynasty, recording their name, place of birth, status, and residence. The Hopae system was initiated by
King Taejong to control migration. However, it was abandoned only three years later in 1416
cadastral survey/land reform A central part of Chong To-jons program. He called for converting all
land into public land, which would then be distributed equally among all the peasants, who would then
pay a small portion in taxes.
court historiography
paekchng (occupational outcasts) - The baekjeong were an untouchable outcast group of Korea.
Outcasts were forced into fixed ghettos, were not given free reign over their own ghettos, and as the
population increased, they were not generally allotted any more land, resulting in overcrowding. The
communities themselves were autonomous, with strong internal organization. In all but the most serious
crimes, order was maintained from within. Although they were not registered citizens and had no civil
rights, this worked to their advantage in several ways; they were excused from military service,
compulsory labor, and paying taxes. Most importantly, the baekjeong had a monopoly over their special
occupations, with both social control and strong resistance preventing others from entering their fields of
work. The primary occupations reserved for them were basketry, butchering, leatherworking, and straw
sandal making. Throughout much of the Choson Dynasty, they were also forced to serve as executioners.
heredity vs. meritocracy - Meritocracy is a system of a government where appointments are made and
responsibilities are given based on demonstrated ability (merit) and talent rather than by wealth, family
connections, class privilege, or popularity
the censorate (as court institution) - They were "the eyes and ears" of the king and checked
administrators at each level to prevent corruption and misdoings, a common feature of that period.
Generally, they were feared and disliked and hence they constantly had to move around to perform their
duties
invention of Korean alphabet (aka hangl) Korean alphabet, aka hangul, was invented by King
Sejong. Before the creation of Hangul, only members of the highest class were literate. Hanja, the written
language of that time, represented the Korean spoken language by using Chinese characters. One would
have to learn the Chinese language in order to read and write with Hanja.