Korea
Gojoseon [1100]. A people the Chinese called the Eastern Barbarians [Tungi] entered Korea and established the kingdom of Gojoseon [Old Joseon]. They spoke a Manchurian, a member of the Altaic family of languages that also includes Turkic and Mongolian. The people of Gojoseon honored spirits and believed that certain mountains were sacred because they were homes for the spirits. Shamans, usually women, asked the spirits for favors and healed the sick. Korea's foundation story explains that a god [Hwanung] changed a bear into woman and married her. She gave birth to Korea's first king [Tan'gun, 2333 BCE].
Wiman Joseon [194]. A Chinese military officer [Wiman] fled to Korea [222] and ruled as king of Joseon [194].
Under China [108]. Han China [108] conquered Wiman Joseon. The Koreans resisted the new rulers and China abandoned Korea except for the region near Pyongyang.
Three kingdoms [57 BCE]. Three large kingdoms [Silla, Goguryeo, Baekje] and several smaller states emerged.
China attacks [243]. China attacked Goguryeo [243 and 259], but suffered such huge losses that the Chinese overthrew their king [end of Wei dynasty].
Wars of expansion [313]. Goguryeo drove China out of Pyongyang [313], a northern city it had held for 400 years. The three largest Korean kingdoms fought with each other to gain territory.
Silla aggressive [514]. The Silla adopted a military culture that included a caste system [520, bone rank] and rigorous military training for young men [hwarang]. The Silla began to expand.
Wars with China [589]. Goguryeo attacked China [589]. China responded by sending large armies to conquer Goguryeo. China's attacks failed [612, 614]. A second Chinese dynasty fell because of losses in Korea [618, Sui].
Goguryeo weak [614]. The Goguryeo built a wall to defend against Chinese attacks. The wall became so expensive that the people murdered their king [642]. Tang China attacked Goguryeo several times [644, 648, 655]. The attacks were unsuccessful, but left Goguryeo weak.
Silla strong [660]. Tang China helped the Silla conquer the Baekje [660]. The Silla helped China defeat Goguryeo [668]. China began building forts and the Silla drove the Chinese away [676].
Balhae [698]. A Goguryeo military officer [Dae Jo-yeong] escaped from a Chinese prison and formed Balhae [698] which controlled northern Goguryeo.
Silla weak [779]. Succession problems, rebellions, and high taxes weakened the Silla.
Baekje, Goguryeo rebel [892]. Baekje [892] and Goguryeo [901] broke away from the Silla.
Khitan take Balhae [926]. The Mongol Khitan who gained control of large areas in northern China after the fall of the Tang [907], attacked the Korean Balhae [926] and renamed it Dongdan. The Khitan called their state Liao [938-983].
Goryeo [935]. Goguryeo defeated the Silla [935] and Baekje [936], reunited the country, and changed its name to Goryeo.
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