The Koreas7th Grade Social Studies

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Korean Culture

has been strongly influenced by China & Japan

Religion has remained consistent

Holidays - religion based

food is predominately rice, vegetables, & fish

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Korea’s History

Although independent for centuries, Korea was conquered in 1910 by the Japanese

governed until the end of World War II (WWII - 1945). After WWII…

Soviet Union had gained control of the northern part of Korea and the southern part that was controlled by Japan previously was now under control of the United States

Rice is by far the chief crop of South Korea. The country's major agricultural areas are a series of plains along the western and southern coasts. These rice fields lie near Kwangju, in the southern plains region. The fields are separated by low dirt walls called dikes or levees, which hold water in the fields.

Korea’s History… continues

the Soviet Union creates a communist type of government in the northern region (which still exists today)

the United States created a capitalist government in the south

June 1950, first “battle” of the Cold War: North Korea invades South Korea.

Cold War - North vs. SouthCold War - the Soviet Union and the United States never go to war against each other, instead we supply each country with $$, weapons, & training.

July 1953 - a truce was called, however a peace treaty was never signed so “technically” still at war - no winner or loser.

A Divided Country

July 1953 - Korea became a divided country

The “Iron Triangle” is known as a “Demilitarized Zone” (DMZ) along the 38th parallel (forbidden to station military)

North Korea

A Communist state arose in North Korea

North Korean soldiers march before a huge statue of former leader Kim Il-sung in Pyongyang. North Korea's military force is one of the largest in the world. Kim ruled North Korea from 1948, when the country was established, until his death in 1994.

South KoreaSouth Korea created a Republic with limited political freedoms; as well as a constitution that outlines the Leaders/Presidents role

have had SEVERAL Republics since 1953

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After the war, the government of South Korea introduced land reform

The country now has a strong economy, and people enjoy a higher standard of living that before the war

South KoreaToday 80 % of the people live cities

The population is generally middle-aged (40’s)

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. It is also the center of the country's cultural, educational, commercial, and financial activities. Modern skyscrapers dominate the city's skyline. City Hall Plaza, shown here, is surrounded by office buildings, hotels, and crowded streets.

South Korea

Major religions

Buddhism

Confucianism

Christianity

North Korea

The North Korean government places the needs of the Communist system over the needs of its citizens

A peasant farmer, leading an ox and cart, stands in front of modern buildings in southwestern North Korea. Both traditional and modern ways of life exist in North Korea. Before the 1900's, almost all Koreans lived in small villages and worked on farms. Japan took control of the Korean Peninsula in 1910, brought industry to the region, and forced many people to move to Korean cities. After Korea was divided in the 1940's, Communists took control of North Korea and took steps to make the new country an industrial society.

North Korea

People have few freedoms

Many resources are devoted to the military

The leaders of North and South Korea met in 2000 for the first time since Korea was divided. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il, left, greeted South Korea's president, Kim Dae-jung, right.

North Korea

Government owned farms are not productive, thus food must be imported.

Bags of rice from South Korea are loaded on a ship to be taken to North Korea. Since the mid-1990's, North Korea has had severe food shortages and has relied on international food aid.

North Korea

Thousands of people have left the country, fleeing mainly to China

The demilitarized zone (DMZ) is a neutral strip of land that has separated North Korea from South Korea since the Korean War ended in 1953.

The End