The Joseon Dynasty radically changed Korea to the point that it is called "Choson", like Joseon, in the North Korean language. The dynasty came after the Goryeo Dynasty, which was starting to crumble due to the neighboring Mongol Empire. General Yi, a renowned general of the time, seized power and ascended the throne as emperor, officially ending the Goryeo Dynasty and beginning the Joseon Dynasty. Between 1392 and 1897 AD, the Joseon Dynasty began in Korea and inspired new changes in government and illustrious art, but continued to have a monarchical-style government. By 1399, King Taejong, the third king of the dynasty, had strengthened his role as king. First, he had issued a new proclamation, stating that all decisions made by the royal court had to be finally approved by the king to be in force. This consolidated his rule and made him even more powerful, as the king had to agree with any new changes. Second, he had exiled many of his supporters and allies who had helped him become king. He did this to show his authority, as well as his independence and power. He also wanted people to know that he was not a weak king, who would allow himself to be influenced by supporters. During his reign, King Taejong had also changed the civil service examination system. It was first invented during the Silla Dynasty, but gained greater importance during the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Joseon Dynasty, civil examinations were raised to a new and higher level of importance. Under his rule, these exams were the only way a person could achieve rank in society. Rank during the Joseon Dynasty was not determined by family wealth, but by civil examination. Anyone could take the exam, including farmers and slaves, but only the richest families co...... middle of paper ......of Joseon white porcelain and I used it in my essay when I wrote about the white porcelain, as well as the Confucian ideas that were involved with it. This site is very reliable because it is an article from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest museum in the United States. Lee, Soyoung. "Heilbrunn Art History Chronology". Korean Renaissance art, 1400-1600. Metropolitan Museum of Art, September 2010. Web. February 24, 2014. Being the same source as the website above, this article provides a good amount of information on art, particularly paintings, during the Joseon Dynasty. I used this information when I wrote about the difference between Korean art and Chinese art and how Confucianism played a role in it. This site is also reliable because it is an article from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and by the same author as above, Soyoung Lee, a curator of Asian art at the museum.