Confucius Life And Early Development: China

Becca Corn
9/10/14
Period 1
Classical Civilization: China
I. Confucius’ Life and Early Development
A. Lived in late 6th century BCE.
B. Original name was Kong Fuzi
C. Searched his entire life for a suitable monarch who would follow his beliefs and restore peace in China
D. He attracted many followers and disciples who collected his wisdom into one system of beliefs called the Analects
E. some rival systems are Legalism, Daoism, and Buddhism
II. Establishment of Political Order
A. There was a long period of political conflict within China after the Zhou dynasty’s control broke down
B. many states rose and fell along the Yellow and Yangzi River
C. Nomadic peoples often raided Chinese farms, but many began to settle down
D. Shi Huangdi- Founder
extended Chinese territory to the South
d. To protect the north he built the Great Wall- Chinese defensive fortification intended to keep out the nomadic invaders from the north; initiated during the Qin dynasty and reign of Shi Huangdi
e. ordered a national census and took data of everything from coinage to the axels on carts
f. promoted manufacturing and discouraged formal culture
g. Shi Huangdi was extremely unpopular
h. he died in 210 BCE; a revolt broke out and the third dynasty was established
4. The Han Dynasty
a. lasted over 400 years
b. ruled similarly to Qin except they were less brutal
c. China was expanded enough so that it was in contact with India; this allowed more trading opportunities
d. the most famous ruler was Wu Ti: he encourage much peace
e. emphasized Confucius beliefs; worshipped the philosopher like a god
f. declined after about 2 centuries
i.) invasions from central Asia led by the nomads, the Huns ii.) between 220 and 589 CE it was in a state of chaos until peace was finally restored and a distinct political structure was established
III. Political Institutions
A. Strong Bureaucracy
1. Chinese leaders realized the importance of creating a large bureaucratic society
2. China had about 130,000
Daoism
1. arose at about the same time as Confucianism
2. appealed to upper-class who were interested in more elaborate spiritual lives
3. combined the beliefs of the Chinese in nature’s harmony with a belief in nature’s mystery
4. It was furthered by Laozi who stressed that nature was divine and directed all life
5. lived frugally; politics and learning were irrelevant to it
6. It was often joined with beliefs from other religions and was generally favored by rulers because it posed no political threat
D. Literature, Art, and Science
1. a set of 5 classics were written and used as a basis for civil service examinations; they included treatises, speeches, and political materials
2. literary tradition developed from the 5 classics
3. the ability to learn and recite poetry became an important mark of an educated Chinese
4. the literary traditions enforced Confucian beliefs
5. Chinese Art was decorative and full of detail
i.) it reflected the details of Chinese writing ii.) calligraphy was an important art form iii.) the Great Wall Of China was the only really remarkable piece of architecture
6. Scientific studies were practical and not so much theorizing