Chapter 6: Ancient ChinaSchools of Thought in Ancient China

Who was Confucius? 551-479 BC

Known as the First Teacher

Desire was to be political adviser

Found little favor from those in politics

Wanted to use his knowledge of politics to change China

Spent his life travelling China to challenge political and moral decay of society

Chinese society was full of violence

His message provided guidelines to a new society

Confucianism Lacked a spiritual message. Completely based off of politics and morals Spiritual questions were useless Assume there is order and purpose in universe Follow it to achieve harmony and successTwo elements of Dao: Duty and Humanity

Duty: be subordinate to own interest for greater good5 Relationships to be governed by

1. Parent-Child (Parents be loving. Child be reverent)2. Husband-Wife (Husband fulfill duties. Wife be obedient)3. Older Sibling-Younger Sibling (Older be kind. Younger be

respectful)4. Older Friend-Younger Friend (Older be considerate. Younger be

deferential5. Ruler-Subject (Ruler be benevolent. Subject be Loyal)

Confucianism Two elements of Dao: Duty and Humanity Humanity Compassion and empathy for others “What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others” Preached that we are all brothers and should be treated as such

Forward thinking ideas:Government should be run by anyone with superior talent. Not just the richRule by merit, not by birthBecame a guiding principle for the future

Stressed a return to the Golden Age of ChinaHappens during Zhou DynastySaw it as an age of perfection

Daoism Dao: The Way

Ideas of Laozi (The Old Master)

No one knows if Laozi existed

Tao Te Ching: The Way of Dao Maps out the philosophy

Does not focus on meaning of universeProper forms of human behaviorThe best way to act in harmony with the universe is not to

disrupt the natural order

Legalism Referred to as the “School of Law”

Proposed that human beings were evil by nature

Wanted a system of impersonal laws

Needed a strong ruler to maintain order in society

Necessity for strict rules and harsh punishments for the commoners This would get them to be subordinate People not capable of being good Ruler did not need to show compassion

Chapter 6: Ancient ChinaThe Qin Unify China

The Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) Qin Shihuangdi Became ruler of the Qin at age 13 in 246BC Over next 25 years, defeated all rivals to establish his dynasty in China Influence of Qin Shihuangdi Created single monetary system Built road system throughout the empire Divided Aristocratic lands and gave them to the peasants Established taxes on aristocrats as well Foreign Affairs Armies moved to the South and expanded empire into present day Vietnam

The Emperor’s Army

The Terra Cotta Army A recreation of Qin Shihuangdi’s imperial guard 6,000 soliders 7,000 bronze weapons 10 different shapes of heads used and everything finished by

hand Gave them a more lifelike form and individuality Estimated that it cost one-third of the national income at the time.

Thought to have been used to accompany the emperor into the afterlife

Great Wall of China What was the purpose of the Great Wall? Protection from: Xiongnu (horse back riding nomadic people from south of Gobi) Moved with the seasons for survival Challenged Chinese communities in North They built walls to protect themselves from warriors

Qin Shihuangdi used the pre-existing walls and fortified themKnown then as the Wall of Ten Thousand LiThe Great Wall of today was built in the last 700 years.Original wall can still be found in small piecesSaid to have the bodies of the workers who died within it

Politics of Qin Dynasty Followed the beliefs of Legalism

3 parts of the government: 1. Civil Division 2. Military Division 3. Censorate: Made sure the government was functioning properly

Under Central government was provinces and countiesLeaders of the provinces and counties were appointed and not based on

birthAnyone found guilty of wrongdoing was executed

Politics angered many and when Qin died in 210, his dynasty was overthrown in 206 BC

Chapter 6: Ancient ChinaThe Han Dynasty

Political Structure of Han Dynasty Confucianism in political beliefs They did not believe in the cruel and unusual punishments of Qin Dynasty

Things kept over from Qin DynastyThe 3 part system of the central government (military, civil, and censorate)

The provinces and counties were kept

Appointments based on merit and not birth

Established the civil service systemA system to train and find future leaders of the civilization

Studied the teachings of Confucius to ensure a line of rulers that society ran properly

Population ranged from 20-60 million people

Political Structure of Han Dynasty Expansion of Empire Han Wudi Martial Emperor of Han Took over land along South China Sea Expanded West into Central Asia Expelled the nomadic tribes and left China with 150 years of

peace

Society in Han Empire Family Basic economic unit Basic educational unit Basic morality unit Was emphasized after its attempted destruction in Qin Dynasty

Peasants suffered greatly after tax increases caused many to lose land and become tenant farmersEconomy

Shipyards, weapons manufacturing, and operating granariesForeign trade only with local nations onlySome trade with nations via Silk Road and southern ports

Technology and Culture in Han Dynasty Iron-Casting Led to invention of steel Powered by water mills

Paper Over next 900 years, spreads to India and rest of Asia Eventually shipped to rest of world

Shipping Invention of rudder as well as fore-and-aft rigging Allowed ships to sail into wind