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Topic: Confucianism & Government Why were the Song more successful than the Tang at bringing stability to the government?

Discussion Question: According to the Weighing the Dynasty Government worksheet, compare and contrast the governments under the Tang and Song Dynasties?

Confucianism The dominant philosophy in China was Confucianism, based on the teachings of Confucius. His teachings focused on proper behavior. Confucius taught that people should conduct their lives according to two basic principles. One was ren, or concern for others. The other was li, or appropriate behavior.

Brain Snack . . . .

Pick TWO!!! If you were a modern day Confucius, what two principles would you instruct people to live by? Kindness? Tolerance? Respect? Why? Discuss at your tables!

Confucianism After his death, Confucius’s ideas were spread by his followers, but as Buddhism became more popular, Confucianism lost some influence. Buddhism stressed a more spiritual outlook that promised escape from suffering.

Neo-Confucianism Neo (new)-Confucianism developed due to a desire to improve Chinese government and society. It was similar to the older philosophy but emphasized spiritual matters. Neo-Confucianism blended Confucianism with elements of Buddhism and Daoism. Neo-Confucianism became more influential under the Song, and became official government teaching after the Song dynasty.

Government: Tang Dynasty Tang emperors relied on a large bureaucracy, or a body of unelected government officials. Collected taxes, oversaw projects such as bridges, canals, and irrigation, provided for the armies, etc.. How could emperors make sure they chose the best people for these positions? Earlier emperors answer this question in different ways. For example: Han Dynasty chose aristocrats (upper class) Does being wealthy make a person capable of a job??

Brain Snack . . . .

W. W. Y. D. ? H O O O A U U T L D If you were the emperor of China, how you select members of your bureaucracy? What would be requirements for getting the job?

Tang: Civil Service Examinations Officials joined the bureaucracy by passing civil service examinations. These were a series of written examinations that tested students’ grasp of Confucianism and related ideas. The tests were difficult, and students spent years preparing. In theory, anyone could attend universities. In reality, only the wealthy could afford tutors, books, & time to study. As a result, only aristocrats held offices. Passing the exam meant life as a scholar-official, an educated member of government.

Government: Song Dynasty The Song dynasty improved the system by which people went to work for the government. Exams were opened up to people from the lower classes. By opening exams to all levels of society, the Song created a meritocracy: rule by officials chosen for their merit (value or worth). Exams were influenced by neo-Confucianism,

Scholar-officials Scholar-officials were elite members of society and were widely admired for their knowledge and ethics. They performed many important jobs in the government. Benefits included: being respected and having reduced penalties for breaking the law. Many became wealthy from gifts given by people seeking their aid. This system helped the stability of the Tang & Song government.

Homework Complete the Summary (including an answer to the essential question) and a main idea queston for each section (1 should be upper level on the DOK).