Korea 1789 CE

What is happening in Korea in 1789CE

Korea is a tributary state of the Chinese empire; however, in terms of self-government, the country is entirely independent. With peace, the Koreans have made a good economic recovery from the invasions of the late 16^th and early 17^th centuries. Advances in farming and new crops raise the living standards of the peasants and stimulate trade. The cash economy expands and consumer goods become more common. Korean scholarship also continues to develop in many fields, and in the arts, works aimed at a broad, popular market – novels, operas, paintings of ordinary people doing everyday things – become common.

Like other countries in Asia, Korea is having to respond to western influences, above all Christianity. Catholic missionaries make converts in all sections of society.

Next map, Korea in 1837