The Early Joseon Period (1392 - c. 1550 CE) in Korea was bookended by internal power struggles but witnessed major scientific and societal advances and prosperity. The Joseon (Choson) Dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 CE to 1897 CE, and scholars typically break this 500-year dynasty into three periods: the Early Joseon, the Middle Joseon, and the Late Joseon periods. This period in Korean history saw great strides in science, culture, literature, and education; long periods of peace peppered with invasions from neighboring China and Japan; and isolationist policies from the 18th through the 19th century CE.
More about: Early Joseon PeriodDefinition
Timeline
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1392 - 1550Early Joseon Period in Korea.
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1392 - 1398Reign of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty.
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1398Strife of the Princes in Korea; Taejo's sons fight to become their father's heir.
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1398 - 1400Reign of King Jeongjong of Joseon.
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1400The Second Strife of the Princes in Korea.
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1400 - 1418Reign of King Taejong of Joseon.
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1418 - 1450Reign of Sejong the Great.
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1419The Gihae Expansion, Tsushima comes under Joseon control.
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1420Sejong the Great creates the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon) to act both as advisors to the king and as an academic research engine.
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1443Hangul, the Korean alphabet, is finalized by Sejong the Great.
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1443The Japanese and Korean governments sign the Treaty of Kyehae which permits legitimate trade with the intention of weakening the wako pirates.
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1450 - 1452Reign of King Munjong of Joseon.
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1452 - 1455Reign of King Danjong of Joseon.
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1455 - 1468Reign of King Sejo of Joseon.
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1494 - 1506Reign of King Yeonsangun of Joseon.
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1494The First Literati Purge of the Early Joseon Period.
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1506 - 1544Reign of King Jungjong of Joseon.
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1544 - 1545Reign of King Injong of Joseon.
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1545 - 1567Reign of King Myeongjong of Joseon.
