2333 B.C. According to Korean legend, the kingdom of Cho- son is founded at the site of present-day Pyongyang.

A.D. 300s Three kingdoms emerge on the Korean peninsula; Buddhism and Confucianism are introduced from China. The kingdom of Shilla defeats the other kingdoms, beginning a thirteen-hundred-year period in which Korea is a unified nation.

935–1392 The Koryo dynasty rules Korea. Buddhism declines in influence.

1200s Mongolians invade Korea; they are expelled by the mid–fourteenth century.

1392–1910 The Yi dynasty rules Korea. Confucianism replaces Buddhism as the state’s official ideology.

1592 Japan attacks Korea and is defeated.

1600s Christian missionaries enter Korea; in response, Korean rulers begin a policy of excluding all foreigners.

1630s Manchu armies from China invade Korea and force it to pledge loyalty to China; members of the Yi family continue as kings of Korea while paying tribute to China.

1700s Korea...