Despite China’s constant changes within its political areas, ever since the late Han dynasty, the Chinese government has been constant and continued its basic administration throughout the varying times. Beginning with the late Han, when they first implemented Confucian ideals into the government, the basic structure of the Chinese government has resided throughout the years. Even after the decline of the Han and after China’s political fragmentation, the Confucian government emerged during the Sui Dynasty’s reunification of China. Continuing…
"Master Kong", 551–479 BC). Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han Dynasty.[1] Following the abandonment of Legalism in China after the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism became the official state ideology of China. The core of Confucianism is humanism,[2] the belief that human beings are teachable, improvable and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor especially including self-cultivation and self-creation.…
Made bureaucracy more sophisticated by starting civil service examination using Confucian ideology; those who passed the test were known as scholar gentry- merit based although some aristocrats got into court without exam…
China flourished as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan societies under the Sui, Tang and Song Dynasties. Officials governed effectively, economic development grew and farmers fed people, merchants and manufacturers prospered. Confucianism and Daoism was the government foundation, social structure and culture. Agriculture remained the foundation for the economy. Strong central government continued with powerful emperors and educated bureaucracy with the examination system. Landowners were at the top of the social class as well as the educated bureaucrats and military leaders. The merchants and artisans had a great deal of wealth but were…
Ian Cabalo October 2012 Period Two AP World History Unit 2: Chapter 8: The Unification of China In Search of Political and Social Order A. Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) and His School 1. Confucius a. Educator and political authority b. Sayings were compiled in the Analects by his disciples 2. Confucian Ideas a. Basically honesty and ethical in character b. Thoroughly practical: how to restore political and social order c. Concentrated on formation of Junzi "superior individuals" d. Edited and assembled the Zhou classics for his disciples to study 3. Key Confucian Values a. Ren: A sense of humanity, kindness, benevolence b. Li:…
It is two main philosophies that started to compete in China 3000 years ago. They were not just philosophies, but state policy options to govern / rule the nation. Throughout the long course of China history, Confucianism came out on top. Most major ruling dynasties in China have adopted Confucianism. It even spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Legalism emphasizes law, or a set of codes, to rule the nation. Everyone is equal before the law (this sense is vague in China); law rewards who obey and punish who violate. Confucianism, on the other hand, emphasizes morality---such as, human nature is essentially good, treating others as you treating yourself; and it stresses social order---i.e. high officials respect the ruler when it comes to state affairs; son respects father, young / inexperienced respect elder / experienced, when it comes to family…
Throughout ancient China, there were many dynasties that were set up. After one would collapse another one would soon arise and take its place. Because of this there were many different beliefs and government ideas on how China should be run. Some of the dynasties used each other’s ideas, but made them better so they succeeded this time. The two dynasties we will be looking at are the Han and Yuan dynasties. During the Han and Yuan dynasties, religious played a major part in their culture, government, and politics.…
Confucianism became the official philosophy of China. Confucianism emphasized the significance of individuals knowing and doing what they were expected. Confucius maintained that social order led to peace and harmony of the society. Due to the popularity of Confucianism, the civil service examination system was established. In order to work in the government, people had to pass the examination on Chinese history and Confucianism. To this day, Confucianism is still popular in China, and a large number of people are studying…
The idea of ruling a powerful government based on the principle of using two conflicting ideologies at the same time appeared foreign to most dynasties of early China. In early Chinese times, after the Period of the Warring States, two ideologies emerged: Legalism and Confucianism. Legalism stressed a strong central government that expressed harsh laws while Confucianism had a decentralized government, placing trust in conscientious and learned individuals to work together to solve political issues. These two schools of thought were in stark contrast to each other and, up until the Han dynasty, had never been combined with each other through government policy. The Qin dynasty, for example implemented a strict Legalist government while the Zhou dynasty applied a decentralized Confucianist government, which, as with the Qin dynasty, did not last long. As opposed to the Qin and Zhou dynasties, the combination of Legalist and Confucianist values led to a successful government in the Han dynasty because it gave way to a strong central government along with a rise in cultural and intellectual thinking while also checking each of the ideologies to prevent one from becoming too dominant.…
Under the Han dynasty the rulers created an efficient and well governed empire. The Han expanded China hundreds of miles to the west, north, and south and had many innovations such as the expansion of the Great wall. The people followed the teachings and values of Confucianism. They were so strong that they have lasted throughout the centuries of Chinese history and is still well-known today. The Chinese civilization lived in a patriarchal society and Confucius teachings created a guide to how a good family should live. Patriarchy was a continuity for Chinese civilization during the classical period. Many of his beliefs and values survived and withstood many changes to come…
With the many customs of the Chinese Empire, the practices of Confucianism came along. The teachings of Confucius preached behavior based upon the five relationships (doc.1). The values of the five relationships were respect, obedience and care taking. The teachings of Confucius included a huge belief in education (doc.2). The teachings of Confucius created the bases for the Chinese value of Respect because they were taught to respect their superiors. The teachings of Confucius created the value of education in china. For example, Chinese boys studied from age 7 until they took the civil service exam to attain a government position which brought wealth and power to their families (doc.4).…
Confucius believed that a peaceful society occurred “when all people acted properly based on their roles with others” (Source #1.) To add on, he believed that people should respect and obey those above them. One of Confucius’s goals was “to bring people to a virtuous way of life” (Source #2.) In other words, Confucius didn’t believe in using military power or punishments per Source #4. However, his philosophy does take some actions and doesn’t just let things be. Per Source #3, Confucius said, “People need to treat each other as they would like to be treated.” Using Confucianism would not only inspire students to act properly, but chances are, everyone would be kinder to one another if they used the treat others how you wish to be treated saying in all their actions. Also, students who do a small wrong deed won’t be severely punished, but some action will be taken, just enough to tell the student to stop. To wrap up, Confucianism is the middle pathway to run a…
the country healthy. Everyone was supposed to play their role and if something or someone didn’t they were going to suffer from a natural disaster. The Mandate of Heaven was very significant because to the civilization because for many years they were shaped because of it. Additionally like the Shang Dynasty the Zhou Dynasty had a lot of significant achievements. During the Shang Dynasty they were three important philosophies, Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism. According to passage "Ancient Chinese Dynasties: Advancements and Achievements.” ‘Confucianism was the idea that people should behave ethically and have great respect and commitment for their families. Taoism teaches humility and compassion. Legalism believed that people were evil…
The styles of governing found in Confucianism and Legalism differ greatly because Confucian government focuses on leading by example, while Legalist government focuses on having an all-powerful government in order to make sure people do not disrupt society for their own gain. Confucians believe that a ruler must be orderly, respectful, and successful in order for his subjects to obey him. This idea is due to their belief in The Five Relationships, one of which is between ruler and subject stating that subjects shall obey their ruler as long as the ruler respects the subjects. Legalist and Confucian beliefs are different on this matter because Legalists think that a ruler can do whatever he wishes regardless of…
In the Chinese Warring States Period (475~221 B.C.) several Chinese thinkers emerged due to the unsettling instability and change that surrounded China. Both Confucianism and Legalism emerged during the period of the Hundred Schools of Thought (6th century~221 B.C.) to debate several philosophical questions in order to centralize China such as: What should human beings accomplish? How should society be organized? Who has the authority to rule? However, both Confucianism and Legalism were different as they had different ideas on what was important. While Confucianists were reinforcing the early Zhou idealism of ancestral worship and the systematic rituals in families and the government, Legalists were more focused on agricultural production, increasing commerce, and supplying the army all economic sources…