The Unification of China Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism

Confucianism Kong Fuzi (551-479 BCE) AKA Confucius From aristocratic family in Northern China Uncompromising in beliefs Couldn’t find influential political position Educator and political advisor Analects- compilation of Confucian sayings and teachings Moral, ethical, political, and practical Political and social harmony come from human relationships, NOT state offices

Confucianism Junzi- superior individuals who take broad view of public affairs without interference from personal judgements Well-educated and conscientious Disciples study poetry and history Literary works of the Zhou dynasty were core texts until the 20th century Three-fold Education High moral standards Wise and fair judgement

Confucianism Ren- kindness/benevolence inspire loyalty, diligence, and respect Li- behaving appropriately by being courteous to others and respectful of elders/superiors Xiao- value of family All three allow one to lead by example-> Junzi could bring order and stability to China

Flexibility of Confucianism Mencius (372-289 BCE)- political advisor Emphasized ren- government by benevolence and humanity Light taxes Avoid wars Support education Harmony and cooperation Xunzi (298-238 BCE)- government administrator Emphasized li- set clear standards and limits on individual interests and conduct Punish neglect of society Improve humans beings and restore society Optimism Value education and public behavior

Daoism Laozi- credited as founder Zhuangzi (369-286 BCE)- philosopher Daodejing and Zhuangzi- basic Daoist beliefs and views The Dao- “the way of nature” or “the way of the cosmos” The original force of the cosmos, eternal and unchanging, that governs the workings of the world Passive- does nothing, accomplishes everything (it just is) Resembles water (soft), but powerful enough to erode rock Hub of a wheel or pot cavity- make tools useful

Daoism Humans should mimic the behavior of the Dao Retreat from politics and administration, ambition and activism Cease striving and live simply Wuwei- disengagement from the competitive exertions and active involvement in affairs of the world Live simply, unpretentiously, and in harmony with nature Limit government Cultivation of self-knowledge appealed to Confucians People often practiced both

Legalism Practical and ruthlessly efficient approach to governing Not concerned with ethics, morals, propriety, or the governing forces of the world Exclusive attention placed on the state- strengthen and expand at all costs Shang Yang (390-338 BCE)- chief minister during Qin Dynasty Power and ruthlessness Han Feizi (280-233 BCE)- Confucian scholar, advisor during Qin Dynasty

Legalism Agriculture and armed forces most important (other jobs do not advance the state) Clear and strict laws, harsh punishments Make people too afraid to commit crimes (large or small) Collective responsibility- community polices each other Ended the Period of the Warring States and unified China

Qin Dynasty Centralized, imperial administration Grant cultivators private plots of land- boosted agricultural production, weakened hereditary aristocratic classes Used wealth to organize powerful army- used to absorb other states and unify China under one administration Qin Shihuangdi (221-210 BCE)- The First Emperor Established centralized imperial rule Ignored nobility Capital at Xianyang, divided empire into provinces and districts run by officers Disarmed local military forces Built road (4,000 miles) and defensive walls

Qin Dynasty Confucians and Daoists criticized Qin Shihuangdi Executes critics- 460 scholars burned alive Burns books- philosophy, ethics, history, literature Centralization Standardized laws, currencies, weights/measures in an attempt to centralize Roads and Bridges- for military and commerce Standardized script- speak distinct languages, write in common script Qin Shihuangdi dies 210 BCE- Elaborate tomb Rebellions dissolve the Qin Dynasty

Early Han Dynasty Liu Bang restores order throughout China after the Qin rebellions Becomes head of new Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 9 CE) and (25-220 CE) Centralized, imperial rule Chang’an as political and cultural capital of China Sought middle path between political alliances of Zhou and centralization of Qin Gave land to imperial family members Divided empire into administrative districts Went to centralization after family didn’t support him

Early Han Dynasty Han Wudi- the Martial Emperor (141-87 BCE) Administrative centralization Imperial expansion Legalist principles Imperial officers implement policies Built roads and canals Taxed agriculture, trade, and crafts Established monopolies (iron, salt, liquor) Established imperial university to train a corps of educated officeholders- based on Confucianism Expanded empire to Vietnam and Korea

Early Han Dynasty Xiongnu- constantly raid Chinese communities Ha Wudi launches offensive against Xiongnu Pacified the Xiongnu threat

Han Prosperity Patriarchal social order Women subordiant to men Children submissive to parents All obey superiors and political authorities Ban Zhao (45-120 BCE)- woman scholar Education Patriarchy

Han Prosperity Iron tools Silk Paper Agriculture Military Domestic Textiles Spread throughout China + Long-distance trade Paper Cheaper, easier

Han Dynasty Falls Military expeditions and policies of Han Wudi cause economic strain Growing gap between rich and poor- creates tensions Rebellions Poor harvests, high taxes, and debt force small landowners to sell land or become slaves to wealthy landowners Wang Mang- “Socialist emperor” Reformed land ownership- land owners and peasant unsatisfied Revolts

Han Dynasty Falls Yellow Turban Uprising Weakened the Han state Factions in central court weakened central government Created war China broken into large regional kingdoms