An Empire Unifies China Chapter 4 Section 4

Philosophy and the Social Order

After the fall of the Zhou dynasty, China became a land of troubles After the fall of the Zhou dynasty, China became a land of troubles. Ancient Chinese values were forgotten.

Civilization seemed doomed Civilization seemed doomed. Yet some thinkers tried to find ways to restore these values.

One of the most important Chinese thinkers was Confucius (551-479 B. C One of the most important Chinese thinkers was Confucius (551-479 B.C.E) .

the symbol for Confucionism

The Story of Confucius http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl09fdq8cSc

Confucian Ideas: Rather than leading for power, control, money, or ego, the princes of China must understand their higher purpose, which was to do “right” and lead by selfless example. This concept of goodness is jen.

From: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/JEN.HTM You should exert yourself to the best of your abilities (chung) to accomplish what you owe to others—this doesn't mean that you'll succeed: it is sufficient to have the right intent and make the right effort in order to have the quality of jen From: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/JEN.HTM

Jen and Chung Confucius believed that these values could help order return to China.

But first, the people would need to apply Jen and Chung five basic relationships. These were the ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, older and younger brothers, and friend and friend.

The family relationships, Confucius thought were the most important.

Confucius stressed that children practice filial piety Confucius stressed that children practice filial piety. This is respect for parents and elders.

Confucius also said government could be structured better Confucius also said government could be structured better. He believed in the concept of a bureaucracy. This is a system of departments and agencies for running the government.

Confucius’ students recorded the teachings of Confucius wrote them down in theAnalects.

Another important Chinese thinker of this period was Laozi Another important Chinese thinker of this period was Laozi. (Lao Tzu) (570-490 BC). 

Lao Tzu was born at the city of Luoyang

He was appointed Keeper of the Imperial Archives by the King of Zhou in Luoyang.  He studied the archive's books avidly and his insight grew. From: http://www.thetao.info/tao/laotzu.htm

Taoism is based on the idea that behind all material things and all the change in the world lies one fundamental, universal principle: the Way or Tao.

This principle gives rise to all existence and governs everything, all change and all life. Behind the bewildering multiplicity and contradictions of the world lies a single unity, the Tao.

The purpose of human life, then, is to live life according to the Tao, which requires passivity, calm, non-striving (wu wei ), humility, and lack of planning, for to plan is to go against the Tao.

But Lao Tzu was, like Confucius, also concerned with the nature of government; he believed unquestioningly in the idea that a government could also exist in accordance with the Tao.

What would such a government look like What would such a government look like? It would not wage war, it would not be complex, it would not interfere in people's lives, it would not wallow in luxury and wealth, and, ideally, it would be inactive, serving mainly as a guide rather than as a governor.

He said nature follows a universal force called the Dao, or “the Way” He said nature follows a universal force called the Dao, or “the Way”. Lao Tzu’s beliefs are called Daoism (or Taoism).

Hearing of Lao Tzu's wisdom, Confucius traveled to meet him Hearing of Lao Tzu's wisdom, Confucius traveled to meet him.  Confucius asked Lao Tzu about performing rites and rituals.  From: http://www.thetao.info/tao/laotzu.htm

From: http://www.thetao.info/tao/laotzu.htm Lao Tzu perceived that the kingdom's affairs were disintegrating , so it was time to leave.  He was traveling West on a buffalo when he came to the Han Gu Pass, which was guarded. 

From: http://www.thetao.info/tao/laotzu.htm The keeper of the pass realized Lao Tzu was leaving permanently, so he requested that Lao Tzu write out some of his wisdom so that it could be preserved once he was gone. Lao Tzu agreed to the request and wrote the Dao De Ching. This book was an expression of his beliefs and principles.

Another philosopher named Han Feizi formed a set of beliefs called Legalism.

He believed that a highly efficient and powerful government was the key to restoring order. In legalism, the government should use the law to end civil disorder and restore harmony.

Legalists taught that a ruler should provide rich rewards for people who carried out their duties well.

Likewise, the disobedient should be harshly punished Likewise, the disobedient should be harshly punished. In Practice, the Legalists stressed punishment more than reward. For example, anyone caught outside his own village without travel permits should have his ears or nose chopped off, legalists said.

The Legalists believed in controlling ideas as well as actions The Legalists believed in controlling ideas as well as actions. They suggested that a ruler burn all writings that might encourage people to think critically about the leadership

The Qin Dynasty

A 13 year old ruler became ruler of the Qin Dynasty. He ended the troubles of the warring states.

This young ruler used the ideas of Legalism to unite China This young ruler used the ideas of Legalism to unite China. After ruling for 20 years, he took a new name – Shi Huangdi. This means “First Emperor.”

Shi Huangdi doubled the size of China.

He established an autocracy He established an autocracy. In this kind of government, a ruler has unlimited power.

Shi Huangdi forced the wealthy nobles to give up there land in the country and move to his capital city. He destroyed his enemies.

The emperor wanted to control ideas too The emperor wanted to control ideas too. He ordered his government to burn books.

Shi Huangdi also had peasants build a network of roads that linked one corner of the empire to another.

He set standards for writing, law, money, and weights and measures to be followed throughout the empire.

In the past, some Chinese rulers had built sections of wall to try to block out attacks from northern nomads. Shi Huangdi had hundreds of thousands of poor people connect these sections of wall and make a huge barrier.

When finished, the Great Wall of China stretched 1,400 miles.

These steps won the emperor little support These steps won the emperor little support. To protect him in his next life, Shi Huangdi had a massive clay army built.

His son took the throne. Just three years into his reign, peasants revolted and managed to overthrow the emperor. By 202 B.C., the Qin dynasty had given way to the Han dynasty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUE-ZtcUFg