1. Beginnings of Classical China

2. Decline of the Zhou rulers System of Feudalism System of Feudalism Transferred power from the King to the feudal lords Transferred power from the King to the feudal lords Provided stability Provided stability Royal family then lords family Royal family then lords family Lords less loyal, invading nomads Lords less loyal, invading nomads

3. Spring and Autumn 200 independent state competed for territory 200 independent state competed for territory Strong lords conquered weaker ones, thereby growing ever more powerful Strong lords conquered weaker ones, thereby growing ever more powerful

4. Era of Warring States 400 B.C. E. Qin (Chin) victors 400 B.C. E. Qin (Chin) victors Economic changes Economic changes Crops, Crops, Tools Tools irrigation irrigation

5. Era of Hundred Schools Most creative periods for Chinese philosophy Most creative periods for Chinese philosophy Yin and Yang Yin and Yang Yin – darkness, weakness, inactivity Yin – darkness, weakness, inactivity Yang- brightness, strength, activity Yang- brightness, strength, activity

6. Confucianism Promoted a code of conduct Promoted a code of conduct System of ethnics and values that would restore social harmony and political harmony System of ethnics and values that would restore social harmony and political harmony Family was the best model Family was the best model The Analects – written form of his teaching The Analects – written form of his teaching Two ways to accomplish this Two ways to accomplish this People accept their roles People accept their roles Rulers act virtuously Rulers act virtuously

7. Taoism (Daoism) Started as a combination philosophy and psychology, but developed into a religion Started as a combination philosophy and psychology, but developed into a religion regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non- living. "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non- living. Harmony of opposites Harmony of opposites

8. Legalism Concerned with the most effective way of governing society Concerned with the most effective way of governing society Beliefs – People were by nature selfish and untrustworthy Beliefs – People were by nature selfish and untrustworthy Would become the official philosophy during the during the Qin dynasty Would become the official philosophy during the during the Qin dynasty Led to the first truly centralized, imperial state. Led to the first truly centralized, imperial state.