1. Geography and Resources
EARLY CHINA, BCE
Geography and Resources
Eastern Zone
Northern area is a cold and dry climate (Yellow Rvr.)
Southern area is a warm and wet climate (Yangzi Rvr.)
Grow millet in north and rice in the south

2. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE The Shang Period, 1750 – 1027 B.C.E.
Originate from North
Warrior aristocracy
King rules core area
Members of royal family rule provinces
Cities were centers of religion and political control
Religion is based in ancestor worship
Performed sacrifices (animals and humans) to gods

3. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE “Mandate of Heaven”
The Zhou had to justify their seizure of power (from the Shang)
Came up with the idea of a divine mandate…who can argue with the gods
Ruler was chosen/favored by the supreme deity (Heaven)
Ruler had to remain pious and act justly

4. “Mandate of Heaven” (cont.)
EARLY CHINA, BCE
“Mandate of Heaven” (cont.)
Significance:
If the kingdom is calm and prosperous, then the king must be doing a good job, Heaven is pleased…king should keep his job
If the kingdom is chaotic and in disarray, then the king is doing a lousy job, Heaven is pissed…king should be displaced (Shang kings)

5. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Legalism
Derived in a time when Zhou central power began to wane – political fragmentation(s)
Local rulers began to act independently and wage war on one another
This time was known as the Warring States Period
Also had to deal with nomadic intruders/invasions

6. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Legalism (cont.)
State had to find a way to deal with upheaval
Belief here is that people should be obedient to authoritarian state
At their core, people are wicked and self-interested
People will act in an orderly fashion only if they have strict laws and harsh punishments

7. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Legalism (cont.)
Every aspect of human society should be controlled to prevent disharmony
Personal freedoms should be sacrificed to the needs of the state
State is more powerful than clergy and the church

8. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Confucianism
Era of Warring States and political chaos, which led to the government taking over and exerting more control (see Legalism above)
Confucius is essentially a displaced aristocrat who seeks a new position as an advisor to the rulers.

9. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Confucianism (cont.)
Stressed the notions of duty and public service; Hierarchy is normal (family based)
Ruler = father
Public officials = sons
Common people = women
Humans should emulate what is “natural”

10. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Confucianism (cont.)
Everyone should accept their role, as to ignore it would be to cause social disruption of the natural order of things
Government exists to serve people – greater respect/authority follows fairness

11. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Daoism
Also derived in the era of the warring states – created by Laozi
An attempt to stop the warfare of the age
Belief was to accept world as you find it
Don’t deviate from natural order of things

12. EARLY CHINA, 2000 - 221 BCE Daoism (cont.)
Avoid violence, take minimal actions necessary.
Instead of fighting against the current, better (wiser) to let onrushing waters pass around
Significance is that Daoism stresses individual journey – a severe departure from Legalist approval of force or the Confucian belief in hierarchy