History of Daehanjeiguk
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UNDERCONSTRUCTION
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Before the Han Empire (2000BCE - 1392CE)
The foundations of the Empire lie in the two Han cultures - Western Han [西韓 (서한)] and Eastern Han [東韓 (동한)]. Western Han culture begins with the rise of Xia [夏] Dynasty, and to the Shang [商] Dynasty, from which the foundations of basic Chinese cultures are derived. The early culture blossomed under the Zhou [周], with the concept of Divine Mandate [天命] becoming a great source of legitimacy and authority for the those in power. However, the stability of the Zhou did not last, as the Western Han states divided into several states, contenting for the right to assume the Divine Mandate. It wasn't until 221BCE that the Qin [秦] Dynasty brought the lands under one rule - from which the Foreigners derive the name "China." It was also under the reign of the Qin that the Empire was formally established. Under the short rule of the Qin, massive efforts were undertaken to standardize the language and measures. Integration and centralization of authority were crucial to found the legal system. However, the policies of the Qin were too oppressive, and a revolt invoked a new dynasty - the Han [漢]. From 206BCE to 220CE [roughly 500 years, the longest period of peace in the Han territories], the Han adopted a Confucian style of governance, which brought harmony to lands and formed the legal and political attitudes of the Han, continuing its influence even to this day. In addition, ethics and standard law procedures were effected, to ensure equal fair treatment of all Imperial subjects. However, corruption gave way to the collapse of the Han, and the dynasty fell into division. By 618CE, the Tang [唐] managed to expand the entire Imperial Domain to its greatest extent [outside of the modern era], stretching as far as the Islamic Caliphates in Central Asia. However, the expansion was so extensive, that military weaknesses soon gave way, and the Tang retreated into collapse.
The Eastern Han began under the reign of Gojoseon [古朝鮮 - the "Go" indicates the "old" or "former" Joseon] in 2333BCE, with the rise of Dangun. Historical analysis for the actual reigns of the Gojoseon are still limited, but much of what can be determined of the Eastern Han mirrors the events in the Western Han, with less calamity. Following Gojoseon, after a many centuries of divided and uncoordinated states, three kingdoms rose in the Joseon area - Baekchae [백제], Shilla [신라], and the greatest of these Goguryeo [고구려]. For a while, the division led internal strife, but eventually, the Shilla managed to conquer all of Joseon, after allying with the Tang [唐], in 668CE. The two states continued separate relations, with Shilla assuming the role of a tributary state of Tang. However, after the Tang collapse in 907CE, stability was hard to maintain, and the kingdom turned over in a coup to the Goryeo [고려] Empire in 938CE. The Goryeo Empire became an ardent Buddhist militant state, but was nonetheless riddled with internal strife, mostly between nobles seeking the power of the state. The Goryeo Empire faced a major crisis with the Mongol invasions of the Western Han in 1209CE and inevitably succumbed to the Mongol invaders later in 1259CE, managing to retain their sovereignty in return to becoming a committed ally of the new Mongol Empire. In the West, the Mongols had conquered the last part of the Song [宋] Dynasty in 1279CE, forming the new Yuan [元] Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty survived until 1368CE, when the Ming [明] began to rise into power.
The situation in Goryeo had stabilized in the many years since the alliance with the Mongol invaders. Although two failed invasions of Japan did drain the economy for a number of years, the Goryeo Empire was strengthened by the trade conducted by the Mongol Empire [in particular with the Silk Road]. When the Yuan Dynasty was under attack by the Ming forces, a rift formed in the Imperial - pro-Ming and pro-Yuan activists began to vy for power. When the Ming sent an envoy to Goryeo in 1388 - concerning the claims of territories under the jurisdication of Goryeo and their return the Western Han - King Yu [우왕] ordered an invasion of Ming, citing the alliance with the Yuan. General Yi Seonggyei [이성계] led an invasion of Liaoning that same year, and swiftly beat back the Ming forces to the former Yuan capital of Dadu [大都] by 1390. Although the Yuan pledged support for the Goryeo attack, they decided to consent to allowing Goryeo take jurisdiction and authority over their territories. Politically, the Yuan were unable to assume control over their former territories and were content to allowing the Goryeo Empire to assume control over the territory. Following the invasion of Ming, General Yi unilaterally declared the ascension of his own Empire - the Han [韓] Dynasty [not to be confused with the earlier Han {漢}]. His first action was to cement an alliance with the Ming, and the Yuan. With that settled, he turned his new conquests back home to Goryeo, where he led the same exact army that conquered the new capital of Hangyeong [한경] to the Goryeo capital in 1392.
The Great Emperors (1392CE - 1494CE)
Having cemented his domain, Yi Seonggyei assumed an Imperial name [Taejo (太祖 {태조})] and began to consolidate his position. The territory of Chikyei was declared an Imperial domain and was directly ruled by the Emperor and his advisors. Manchuria was established to control the territory between the capital province and Joseon [조선] - a reference to the first Joseon, and a way to take away the memory of the Goryeo Empire. The Taejo Emperor reigned for 16 years, until he died in 1408, when his son - the Taejong [太宗 (태종)] Emperor - assumed the throne. After his death in 1418, his reign was followed by the Emperor Seijong [世宗大皇帝 (세종대황제)], "the Great". Under Seijong, the Han Empire expanded and established a new writing system, with the intent to make the Han language easier to use and write, called Hunminjeongeum [훈민정음 (訓民正音)]. He also standardized the weights and measures in the Han Empire, unifying the legal codes in a massive reform of the existing systems.
By the time Seijong had ascended the Han throne, the tentative alliance with the Yuan had died out, mostly due to the simultaneous alliance with the Ming. In the 16th year of his reign [1434], Seijong canceled the Yuan alliance and the Han Empire quickly conquered the outer areas [forming the territories, consisting of the remainder of the Manju Province and the entirety of the Monggol Province]. While Han troops reached the new Yuan capital of Khara Khorum, Seijong decided to leave the Yuan dynasty to its own, opting for a more stable vassalization of the state - becoming the first Eastern Han Emperor to institute the tributary system of the Western Han Emperors. Taking opportunity of the fresh territory, Seijong issued a decree, ordering all peoples in the Han Empire to revert to the Eastern Han denomination [韓] in 1448, two years after the advent of the Hunminjeongeum.
Seijong died in the 32nd year of his reign, and passed to his son, the Munjong [文宗 (문종)] Emperor. He died in his 2nd year, and passed the throne to his son, the Danjong Emperor [端宗 (단종)]. The second eldest son of the Emperor Seijong - Grand Prince Suyang [首陽大君 (수양대군)] - seized power in a bloody coup, and forced his nephew to abdicate in 1455 [the 3rd year of the Danjong reign]. Suyang, becoming the Emperor Seijo [世祖 (세조)], initiated a reform of the political system in the Han Empire, centralizing his authority and ruling effectively. He proved his military prowess in his conquest of the Western Frontier [adding the provinces of Taeheang and Gamsuk] in the Year 8 of his reign [1463]. His death five years later left his weak son - Yeijong [睿宗 (예종)] - in power. He died one year later in 1469, and passed the throne to his nephew - Seongjong [成宗 (성종)]. The Seongjong Emperor was a competent leader and finished many of the reformed started by the Taejo, the Seijong, and the Seijo Emperors. However, his death in 1494 left the throne to his despotic son - Yeongsangun [연산군].
Recession and Decline (1506CE - 1608CE)
Yeongsangun was deposed in 1506 by a coup, and was succeeded by the Jungjong [中宗 (중종)] Emperor. His early reign was marked by attempts to reform the errors of his half-brother's mishaps. However, misfortune struck in more ways, as the Ming Empire, deciding to claim the Divine Mandate, invaded the Han Empire. Despite having well-fought the war, Jungjong had to concede rights to the Divine Mandate in his 16th year [1522]. Nonetheless, his latter reign was marked with liberalization of the court, to the dismay of many of the older elites. In addition, the strain of the vastly outnumbered Eastern Han [from Joseon] was starting to have its toll on the Imperial Household. To add onto these problems, Wakei pirates from Ilbeon [日本] were increasing their activities in the East Sea. By the time Jungjong died in his 38th year [1544], the Han Empire was nearly bankrupt and left the reign to his ill son - the Emperor Injong [仁宗 (인종)]. Injong was succeeded by his half-brother - the Emperor Myeongjong [明宗 (명종)] - in 1545. Empress Munjeong [the 3rd wife of the Emperor Jungjong] ruled as the Imperial Regent until her death in his 20th year [1565]. By that time, corruption had run rampant, and Wakei pirates were invading Joseon and Manju at will, which would continue until the Imjin Invasion by Hideyoshi in 1592. The death of the Myeongjong Emperor two years later solved nothing, and left the burden of reconstruction on his nephew, the Emperor Seonjo [宣祖 (선조)]. His early reign was marked by steady economic improvement and tackling the problem of the corruption that had accumulated since the incompetent reign of his predecessor.
In his 25th year [1592], Toyotemi Hideyoshi [豊臣秀吉] of Ilbeon [日本] invaded Choseon, with the intention to conquer the Han Empire. Despite losing at first, Seonjo managed to utilize the resources of the Empire to combat the invasion of Joseon, with the military tact of a local naval commander - Yi Sunshin [이순신]. After his clear early successes, with superior naval tactics and technology - nearly annihilating the Ilbeon fleet at Hansando - Emperor Seonjo promoted him to Admiral of the Han Fleet. With effective control of the seas, Seonjo military advisors were able to turn the tide against the Ilbeon Army, who stalled and were unable to continue their conquest. Peace negotiations began in 1593, but due to corruption, the peace process dragged on for 7 years, until Hideyoshi died. With that, the Ilbeon retreated from Joseon and secure peace with the Han Empire in 1598, offering a tribute to secure it.
Concerned about the Han's success against Ilbeon, the Ming Empire invaded Chikyei, and laid siege to Hangyeong. The Han Armies - stuck in Joseon - rapidly made progress, using Admiral Yi Sunshin's navy to land them on the Shandong Peninsula. Since the Han maintained naval superiority, the Ming were unable to hold their siege on Hangyeong, and later lost their principal army in the Northern theater in battle in 1599, near Qingdao. The Ming campaign was largely successful, despite the growing economic woes. Seonjo ended the war with the Ming in his 35th year [1602], having regained the Divine Mandate and the Sandong Province. His death in 1608 was compounded by Admiral Yi's death in 1607 - both events mourned deeply by the Han Empire.
Fall of the Ming and Further Expansion (1608CE - 1863CE)
Seonjo's death in 1608 brought the reign of Gwanghaegun [광해군], whose reign was riddled with corruption left from Seonjo's reign. A coup faction overthrew him in 1623, installing his brother - Injo [仁祖 (인조)] - as Emperor. The court took a new decisively anti-Ming position and began the 1625 campaign. The campaign took 46 years to complete, spanning his reign completely to his death in 1649. His successor - Hyojong [孝宗 (효종)] -was chosen to succeed his father, since his older brother had gone away to Europe. Emperor Hyojong began a massive reform of the Han military, banking off the gains from the Ming campaign in 1598. He died in 1659, not able to see the results of his reforms. The Hyeonjong [顯宗 (현종)] Emperor succeeded him and continued his reforms. The new Han Army was successfully tested in 1665, at Chengdu. Within 4 years, the Ming surrendered completely and had ceased to exist.
The Hyeonjong Emperor ended his reign in 1674, having reached about half the size of the Modern Han Empire. It was in this year - after the ascension of the Sukjong [肅宗 (숙종)] Emperor - that the Portuguese mission in Macau began, after years of service under the Ming Empire. Additionally, the Western world began to open to the Han, and Sukjong was open to receive it all. Being the first Emperor of all the Han, Sukjong began a clear program to unify the Empire and make it easier to rule. He was also rather liberal in his ideology, seeking the welfare of his common people often at his own expense. He was dearly loved for this, but his noble court was angered by his apparent lack of diligence in his work. An increasing number of foreigners were appearing and the Han Court was increasingly discomforted by the amount of leniency being granted.
Among the many establishments of the Sukjong reign was the firm establishment of the Kingdom of Joseon - granted to the Go [고] clan, for their faithfulness to the Emperor. In addition, several expeditions against the Western Frontiers led to the eventual acclimation of Yunnam and Seojang Provinces. Conflicts with the Yuan Dynasty were resolved peacefully, continuing to assert the Han Emperor's right to tribute and the Divine Mandate.
The Sukjong Emperor was succeeded by his son - the Gyeongong [景宗 (경종)] - in 1720. His own reign was succeeded in 1724 by his brother - the Yeongjo [英祖 (영조)] Emperor. Under the Yeongjo Emperor, the Han Empire made a massive economic recovery from its wars with Ilbeon and the Ming Empire. Naval reforms became increasingly important as European contacts continued to impress the Han courts, and a liberal ideology filled the courts still. In the 26th year of his reign [1750], a coup attempt was ruthlessly crushed by Yeongjo's supporters and confirmed the stability of his reign. Unfortunately, corruption continued to be a problem, as the growing size of the Empire was making it more difficult for the Emperor to keep his advisors in balance. Nonetheless, the test of his naval advances were realized in the 1769 Spanish war, in which the Han Empire won over rights to the Philippine Islands [Chonamdo (朝南島)]. It was an embarrassment to the Spanish fleet, but after years of mismanagement, the Spanish Pacific Fleet was clearly outmatched by the Han's local fleet, and the acquisition of the Philippine Islands helped to clear the way for naval supremacy in the local seas.
The Yeongjo Emperor was succeeded by his son - the Jeongjo [正祖 (정조)] Emperor - in 1776. Two years later, Shingang Province was added to the Empire [as part of the "New Frontier"]. In 1792, Daemando was added to the list of Imperial domains. The Jeongjo Emperor was succeeded by his son - the Sunjo [純祖 (순조)] Emperor - in 1800. The Sunjo Emperor became the first Emperor to rule over the "Modern" Han Empire, during which he reformed the Imperial system, especially concerning the government style, in an effort to reduce corruption in more distant provinces. The Chonamdo Province was given limited autonomy, under the Yi [이] clan, much like the same arrangement as the Joseon Kingdom. In 1834, Sunjo was succeeded by his son - the Heonjong [憲宗 (헌종)] Emperor. His reign passed with little significance n 1849, and the Choeljong [哲宗 (철종)] Emperor ascended to the throne. In 1863, his death brought the reign of the Emperor Gojong [高宗 (고종)].
Rise of the Modern Empire (1863CE - 2007CE)
The Gojong Emperor made many new advances, as the Han Empire's stagnation at the close of the 19th century was causing economic woes in the Empire, and the Imperial Fleet was not well maintained. In addition, internal problems were proving more difficult to handle, for 700 year old dynasty. In addition, the many years of liberalism were challenging the institutions of governance in the Empire, especially with the rise of non-autocratic institutions. Gojong decided to grant limited political power to the common people, and firmly established the equality of all people, abolishing all inherited positions from the government, except for the Imperial house, the Joseon Kingdom, and the Chonamdo Regency. All other positions are elected by the people,and ceremoniously titled in the manner as they would have been. Gojong's reforms inevitably saved the Han Empire from further internal conflict, as the democratic ideals of the modern world proving to be difficult to contain. In his later years, Gojong adopted a constitution, approved by the Imperial Cabinet, although the Imperial Seal is not present on the document, thereby absolving the Imperial House from formally recognizing the document as official [although it is de facto official, according to all subsequent Imperial Decrees]. Since the titles are ceremoniously adopted, people elect officials to serve as leaders in their local communities, and as leaders in their regional communities. All provinces have elected governors, ceremoniously titled as "Dukes" [궁 (公)]. All ministers are elected and ceremoniously titled "Marquis" [참반 (侯)]. All other officials are aptly titled in the Imperial system.
Gojong passed the throne to his son - the Emperor Sunjong [純宗 (순종)] - in 1919. His reign, thought short-lived, was marked by the continuing prosperity earned by his father. In 1926, his death left the Empire to his son - the Myeongjo [明祖 (명조)] Emperor - at a pivotal time, when the Han Empire became an integrated part of the modern world. Economic reforms allowed an increasingly free market in the Empire develop and grow, and other political reforms began to crack into the autonomy of the Han Imperial house, while maintaining the centralized authority. The most important reform was the emancipation of the poor, which in turn freed the working class from the land to which they were previously bound. However, the edict changed very little, as the economic pressures forced many to continue life in bondage. Nonetheless, the Myeongjo Emperor left the Han Empire in a better economic state, although political reforms were becoming dire. In 1970, the Jeongmu [正武 (정무)] Emperor succeeded his father, and continued the economic development programs, bringing a country with a rising population and standard living making it difficult to keep the country in balance. Among the most important renovations of his reign was the Imperial edict of Voluntary Civic Duty in his 5th year [1975]. This declaration became the formal standard of emancipation of the peasantry, allowing them to do whatever they pleased with themselves, and helped to transform the Han Empire into a largely commercial society instead of a agrian society. The Voluntary Civic Duty Edict disallowed forced military conscription, permitted civil militias outside the Imperial Armed Forces, private corporations to effectively police themselves, private citizens to do as they pleased instead of going into forced labor on government projects, and likewise guaranteed every citizen civil rights in accordance with His Imperial Majesty's authority [that is, every person is has the right (1) to render his thoughts freely, those of which do not present explicit harm to the Empire and its citizenry, (2) to congregate in unofficial groups, (3) to petition His Imperial Majesty's government for redress, (4) to defend himself from the irrefutable threats, (5) to live a life in accordance with his own will and desires, (6) to exist in peace and harmony, and (7) to pursue objectives and wishes that do not present explicit harm to the Empire or its citizenry]. The Imperial Edict is among the most liberal in the entire realm, and likewise guarantees equality under the law, as a citizen of Han. Nonetheless, political freedoms were still moderately restricted, more so than when the Nobility was formally abolished. Those displaced nobles were granted redress and likewise authorized to receive a stipend according to his title - but the title itself was confered by his Imperial Majesty, and in accordance with the previous decree, titles were only thereafter present on election, not inhereitance [except the three governships of the Imperial House, the Joseon House, and the Chonamdo House]. His death in 2007 was marked by the ascension of the Gwangmu [光武 (광무)] Emperor.
In the recent age, technological advances in the Han Empire have been marked steadily by the increasing demands of a more modern society. Communication networks are nearly widespread, as the welfare of the Han has become an increasing state priority - more so than in previous ages. Moreover, military demands were severely resisting growth in many civilian areas. Nonetheless, despite these constraints, the Han Empire manages to stay at least on par with some of the modern giants, although economic and technological superiority was reluctantly passed off to the West - an acknowledge that was perhaps centuries late. Nonetheless, realizing the weakness of the Empire in some areas, the Han Empire has managed to maintain and cultivate nationalist sentiments that reflect the diversity of culture and still the uniform nature of the Imperial system as superior to the "reckless expansions" of the West, a policy long cultivated since the Emperor Gojong. Nonetheless, the Han Empire maintains a strong defensive policy of non-aggression and "protectionism". These advances in Imperial policy led to the Han pursuit of nuclear weapons - soon thereafter followed by the first "no first strike pledge" concerning their use. The Han Empire has since led the development of new pursuits - namely "green" technologies, space exploration, and effective civil and military equipment. Even now, the Han Empire seeks to advance its international position as a content giant, a moderator, and as a responsible state dedicated to preserving the harmony and autonomy of its regional partners and those abroad. The Han Empire likewise follows the extensive legacy of the previous Dynasties of the Two Han Peoples, dating back 4000 years and beyond - it can claim to be the oldest unique civilization and imparts to the world its wisdom and character for all to share.
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