Classic China

Schools of Thought Between 500BC and 200BC (toward the end of the Zhou Dynasty), three schools of thought emerged in China. These ways of thinking focus on the nature of human beings and how the universe works. They were called Daoism, Confucianism, and Legalism.

How Are They Different from the Other Asian Belief Systems? Hindus & Buddhists Focus on freeing the human soul from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. Chinese Philosophers Concerned about the material world and creating a stable society for people to live in.

Daoism Review Founder: Lao Tzu Dao translates to mean, “The Way.” Sacred Text: Tao Te Ching, “Way of the Dao.” It is a way of thinking about how to properly behave in your life. Daoists believe that the way to follow the will of Heaven is not through action, but through inaction. (Don’t interfere with nature) (Don’t fight against Heaven) “The universe is sacred. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to hold it, you will lose it.” – Lao Tzu

Daoism Review Beliefs -How you behave in life’s situations will determine if you have knowledge, strength, and balance. -It’s not about “what” happens, it’s about how you “react.” -You must let nature take its course.

Confucianism During one of the declines of the Zhou Dynasty, a philosopher named Confucius wanted an answer to one basic question, “How do we restore order to this society?” Confucius was known as the First Teacher. Chinese symbol for “water” also is the symbol for Confucianism.

Confucianism Confucius was upset by the violence and moral decay of the time. Warfare Mass executions of men, women, and children. He traveled around China trying to persuade people to listen to his teachings so they could repair society. His sayings were recorded in the Analects.

Confucianism Two main ideas: Confucius thought it was useless to speculate (think and argue) about spiritual questions. He believed it was better to find an order in the universe, so that humans could act in harmony with the universe. Two main ideas: Duty/Work Ethic Humanity “Duty” meant that people had to subordinate (lower) their own interests to the bigger needs of the family & community. If every person fulfills his or her duty, then the affairs of society will prosper. “Humanity” meant that humans should have compassion and empathy for others. 1970s photo of a Confucian Temple

Five Constant Relationships Confucianism Five Constant Relationships Parent & Child Parents should be loving, children should be respectful. Husband & Wife Husbands should fulfill their duties, wives should be obedient/appreciative. Older sibling & Younger sibling The older should be kind, the younger should be respectful. Older friend & Younger friend The older should be considerate, the younger should be humble/respectful. Ruler & Subject Rulers should be benevolent (kind), and subjects should be loyal.

Confucianism “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.” -Confucius Confucius was a harsh critic of his own times. Wanted a return to the values of hard work and responsibility that was taught during the early years of the Zhou. Believed that political service (government jobs) should be open to all men with superior talent, not limited to just men of noble birth.

Legalism Legalism states that human being are evil by nature. Rejected the Confucian idea that a government ran by superior men could solve society’s problems. Instead, Legalism believed there needed to be a set of impersonal laws. Often referred to as the “School of Law” rather than a “School of Thought.”

Legalism Legalists believe that a strong ruler is required to create an orderly society. They believed that only harsh laws and stiff punishments would cause the common people to serve the interests of the ruler. To them, people are not capable of being good, therefore a ruler does not have to show kindness or compassion. Shang Yang, a leader in Legalist thought.

Where We Left Off The Last Time We Studied China China fell into a time of civil war that began in 403BC, not long before the final fall of the Zhou Dynasty. Lasted almost 200 years. Weaponry and fighting changed dramatically. The Chinese began to use iron weapons, ride on horseback, and invented the crossbow.

The Qin Unify China After 200 years of civil war, order was restored to China when the first Qin emperor unified the Chinese world. The dynasty was short-lived, but Qin Shihuangdi made many important changes to the unified Chinese people.

Qin Dynasty Ruler = Qin Shihuangdi, which translates to “the First Qin Emperor.” Took the throne of his region when he was only 13-yrs-old. Placed the capital city at Xianyang. Things he changed… Single monetary system New roads, leading to the capital city. Reduced the power of rich aristocrats Divided land among the peasants Extended the borders of China

Qin Dynasty When the “First Qin Emperor’s” tomb was discovered, it contained a massive army made out of terra-cotta. It was a recreation of the imperial guard, meant to be with the emperor on his journey to the next world. There are more than 6,000 figures. Also contains horses, chariots, and bronze weapons.

Qin Dynasty The emperor’s major concern was the north border. He feared a nomadic people known as the Xiongnu, who had mastered riding and fighting on horseback. Qin Shihuangdi ordered the building of a massive wall to keep out the nomads. His project is known today as the “Great Wall of China.” In truth, the Wall that we know today wasn’t built until 1,500 years later. But some of the original sections from the Qin have survived.

5,500 miles long

Qin Dynasty Legalism was adopted as the ideology of the empire’s reign. Anyone who opposed the new policies were punished or executed. Books that presented new, or argumentative ideas, were publicly burned. Qin Shihuangdi was the only ruler of the Qin Dynasty. He had angered many Chinese people, and people from all levels thought he was harsh and demanding. He died in 210BC, and the dynasty was over thrown soon after. China went back to a time of civil war, but then a new dynasty arose, the Han.

Han Dynasty Took power in 202BC. Founder was Liu Pang, who came from peasant origins. Wanted to discard the harshness of the Qin. Expanded the borders of China. Confucian principles became the basis of the new state philosophy.

Han Dynasty Kept the Qin system of choosing government officials on the basis of their merit and hard work, rather than their noble birth. They created the “civil service exam” to tell people what they were best at, and made programs to train people. Students were required to learn the teachings of Confucius, as well as Chinese history and law.

Han Dynasty Society Demands on peasants began to make them suffer. The population rapidly tripled, and the land holdings had to be reduced to a size barely big enough for survival. Over time they had to sell their land back to rich aristocrats.

Han Dynasty Family The Han renewed the emphasis and importance of family. The family was responsible for the economy, education, and training morals.

Han Dynasty Economy Major expansion of trade and manufacturing. Increase of foreign trade. Created the “Silk Road” that stretched from China to the Mediterranean Sea.

Han Dynasty Technology Textile (fabric) manufacturing Water mills Iron casting Papermaking New ship designs

Fall of the Han Dynasty Weak rulers did not pay attention to their jobs; their power declined. Government corruption Aristocrats took more and more power. Peasant uprisings 190AD, rebel armies sacked the capital city. 220AD, a military general seized control and destroyed the Han dynasty. He could not hold on to power. Civil war broke out in China. It will last for 400 years.