Confucianism and Government Chapter 7, Section 3

Main Ideas Confucianism underwent changes and influenced the Chinese government. Scholar-officials ran China’s government during the Song dynasty. Create a question for each main idea.

Confucianism Confucius - wise philosopher, lived around 1000 BC. Taught that individuals and governments should act ethically (having good character). Two basic principles – Ren – concern for others. Li – appropriate behavior. Society – young people obey old, citizens (subjects) obey rulers (emperors)

At first Confucian ideas and teachings were banned. During the Period of Disunion, Confucianism was beat out by Buddhism. Buddhism emphasized escape from suffering instead of ethical behavior.

Look at your notes – what question can you create that will be answered by the information in your notes? Write the question below the notes for this key term.

Neo-Confucianism Tang Dynasty – Chinese historians and scholars wanted to improve society and government, looked to Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism = Buddhism/Confucianism. Became official government beliefs.

Look at your notes – what question can you create that will be answered by the information in your notes? Write the question below the notes for this key term.

Scholar-Officials – Making the Song Dynasty Stable Bureaucracy: a group of unelected government officials. Civil Service: work/jobs in the government. To become a civil servant, people had to pass difficult written tests that they spent years studying for. Tested their knowledge of Confucianism and similar ideas.

Very few people who passed the test would be TOP officials, but all would work as scholar- officials. Scholar-officials – educated members of the government. Elite citizens, admired for their knowledge and ethics.

Many scholar- officials were rich. Civil service exams made sure that only talented, intelligent people would work for the government.

Look at your notes – what question can you create that will be answered by the information in your notes? Write the question below the notes for this key term.