Hallmarks of Chinese Society
What do you notice about China’s geography? What role does this play?– a world view, the Middle Kingdom =
Belief that China is center of world (geographically & culturally)
Other core values: Family = central social unit
Cyclical view of nature
Results of Core Chinese Values?
Government organization– Dynasties (Ruling families)
History seen as cycles traced by dynasty Classical Era: Zhou -> Qin -> Han
Foundational religion– Ancestor veneration & natural spirits
Oracle bones Rituals performed to honor ancestors Male descendants perform ancestral offerings Land key to rituals
1029-771 BCE: Zhou Peak of Zhou dynasty Decentralized rule
– King as ritual authority & military organizer
– Appointed family members to rule provinces
Most governing done by regional provincial lords
770-403 BCE: Zhou Zhou in decline as regional provinces
exercise more independence– Zhou kings remain as ceremonial
authority, but…– Provinces no longer forward tax revenue
or muster soldiers
221-202 BCE: Qin Shi Huangdi = 1st emperor
Centralized, harsh rule:– an empire is born
Legalist, burned books of rival ideas Built roads, standardization
202 BCE – 9 CE: Han Centralized, but less harsh Military strength expanded territory to
West– Silk Road & economic expansion
Created ministries to execute emperor’s wishes– How to choose ministers?– Civil Service Exams
25 CE – 220: Han Han dynasty in decline
– Crushing expenses of military expansion– Growing social divide between rich &
poor
220 – 589: no central authority
Regional kingdoms, but era dominated by warfare, chaos, disorder– Buddhism spreads from India
Overarching Idea Economic conditions and religion are
key components in legitimizing or undermining government.
Zhou dynasty– First dynasty to unite large area– Forced to justify rule:
Wickness of Shang
…but why Zhou? Mandate of Heaven – emperors claimed
to rule with the favor of heaven
Historical Background of Philosophies
What happens to Mandate when things go wrong? –famine, flood, etc
Decline of Zhou led Chinese to question how to resume greatness
So, new philosophies developed– Confucianism– Daoism– Legalism
Used to legitimize government, so after Zhou dynasties = “empires”
Philosophies Confucianism
– Goal = wanted to create an orderly, peaceful China– Stressed = Filial Piety (respect for family & authority)– Summarized by = Five Relationships
Ruler > ruled Father > son Husband > wife Older brother > younger brother Friend = friend
Consider the importance of family in the following conversation:Governor of Shi province says to Confucius, “In our village there is a man nicknamed Straight Body. When his father stole a sheep, he gave evidence against him.”
Confucius replies, “In our village those who are straight are quite different. Fathers cover up for their sons, and sons cover up for their fathers.”
Philosophies Daoism (“Dao” = the way)
– Stressed = Harmony, balance w/ nature, & passiveness
– Summarized by = – “Those who know the Dao do not speak of it; those
who speak of it do not know it.”
Legalism– Stressed = Belief in the rule of law– Summarized by = Rewards & punishments must be
used to get people to behave
Han & Confucianism…sort of
Who would you give government jobs to if you were President?
Han Dynasty= – Layers of legitimacy (blending earlier ideas )
Mandate of Heaven Legalism Confucianism Civil Service Exams
– Impact = meritocracy, fosters new loyalty for opportunity, professional & effective gov’t
Overarching Idea Economic conditions and religion are
key components in legitimizing or undermining government.
“The relationship between superiors & inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend when the wind
blows across it.” Confucian
“Keep your mouth closed.Guard your senses.
Temper your sharpness.Simplify your problems.Mask your brightness.
Be at one with the dust of the earth.This is primal union.”
Daoist
“Kindness and benevolence are the foster-mother of transgressions;
employment and promotion are opportunities for the rapacity of the wicked.”
Legalist
“The world is a sacred vessel. It should not be meddled with. It should not be owned. If you try to meddle with it, you will ruin it. If you try to own it,
you will lose it.”Daoist
“The superior man…does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what
is right he will follow.”Confucian
“The enlightened ruler, in ruling his country, increases the guards and makes the penalties
heavier.”Legalist
“When it is left to follow its natural feelings, human nature will do good. That’s why I say it is good. If it becomes evil, it is not the fault of
man’s original capability.”Confucian
Thesis Practice Analyze the similarities and
differences in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Analyze the similarities and differences in the Qin and Han dynasties.
Analyzes the impacts of Confucianism on Chinese society.
Explain the history of classical China using examples to support patterns seen
in the dynastic cycle