1. The Unification of China
Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Flexibility of Confucianism
Mencius ( BCE)- political advisor
Emphasized ren- government by benevolence and humanity
Light taxes
Avoid wars
Support education
Harmony and cooperation
Xunzi ( 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

6. 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

8. 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

9. 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 ( BCE)- chief minister during Qin Dynasty
Power and ruthlessness
Han Feizi ( BCE)- Confucian scholar, advisor during Qin Dynasty

10. 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

11. 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 ( 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

12. 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

13. Early Han Dynasty
Liu Bang restores order throughout China after the Qin rebellions
Becomes head of new Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 9 CE) and ( 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

14. 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

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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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