The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas Chapter 6 Section 2 The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas

The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas The Big Idea Confucius and other philosophers taught ways to deal with social and political problems in ancient China. Main Ideas The Zhou dynasty expanded China but then declined. Confucius offered ideas to bring order to Chinese society. Daoism and Legalism also gained followers.

The Zhou Dynasty Local nobles gained more control in the remote regions of the Shang territory. A nobleman named Wu, marshaled his forces with barbarians help and marched on the capital. Wu killed the Shang king and established a new dynasty, known as the Zhou (pronounced Joe)

The Zhou Dynasty The Zhou Dynasty is the longest dynasty in China’s history, from 1029-256 BC (800 years). The Zhou kings established a new capital at Hao and brought most of northern China under their control.

The Zhou Dynasty The Zhou kings claimed to possess the Mandate of Heaven, or divine right to govern. But if a ruler governed badly, the people would rise in revolt and overthrow the ruler. This meant the Mandate of Heaven had been withdrawn.

The Zhou Dynasty The Zhou kings used the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rebellion against the Shang. Because of the expansion of the Zhou territory and the lack of efficient communication and transportation, the Zhou established a new political order.

The Zhou Political System The king granted plots of land to lords, who in turn provided soldiers and paid taxes to the king. Poor farmers were granted land as well, and remained under the rule of the lords.

The Zhou Political System This system of exchanging land for military aid was called feudalism.

The Zhou Political System Over time, however, the political order would break down. The position of Lord became hereditary, that is, it was passed from a father to son. Lords became all powerful in their territories to the point were they could challenge the Zhou King.

The Zhou Dynasty falls In 771 BC, a group of Zhou lords attacked the capital and forced the royal family to flee to Luoyang. There the Zhou Dynasty would continue 500 years, however without any real power. The Zhou lords then turned on one another and began to fight one another.

The Warring States Period The Warring States would last from 481 to 256 BC. A time period of constant warfare among the different lords, who now declared themselves as kings. Armies increased in size and new technologies were invented such as the crossbow.

Sun Tzu, wrote the book The Art of War. The Art of War was a guide on military theory and philosophy. The book stresses accurate information, deception, surprise, and flexibility. The Art of War has influenced modern military leaders. All warfare is based on deception.

Internal Problems Problems within the government paralleled problems within large family systems, which were breaking down. Large families of several generations formed powerful groups, but close relatives would become powerful rivals. Bonds of loyalty weakened within even small families, and disorder fell upon China.

Zhou Culture Education grew rapidly as an industry. Various occupations appeared such as judges, diplomats, doctors, lawyers, priests, scribes, artists, poets, scientists, and historians. Most leading thinkers, or philosophers, came up with ideas about how to restore order to China.

Confucius and Society The Hundred Schools of Thought of Chinese philosophy blossomed during this period. The influential intellectual movements as Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism were founded, partly in response to the changing political world. The first two philosophical thoughts would have an enormous influence on Chinese culture.

Confucius was the leading Chou philosopher, and the best known Chinese philosopher. The collection of his teachings are called the Analects. He spent most of his life traveling as a teacher. He had many pupils, and eventually wrote his ideas in books.

Confucius Disgusted with the rude and insensitive nature of the people around him, Confucius pushed for a return to ethics, or moral values. The ideas of Confucius are known as Confucianism.

Confucius Confucius stressed the teachings of morals. That educated people should provide a good example and moral leadership for the country. He taught three virtues were important: wisdom, love, and courage.

Confucius Confucius wanted China to return to ideas and practices from a time when people knew their proper roles in society. Fathers should display high moral values to inspire their families. Children should respect their parents and ancestors, an idea known as filial piety. All family members should be loyal to each other.

Confucius Confucius’s ideas about government were similar to his ideas about family: Moral leadership, not laws, brought order to China. A king should lead by example, inspiring good behavior in all of his subjects. The lower classes would learn by following the example of their superiors.

Confucius Confucianism is a unique teaching that is both philosophical and religious. Confucianism has been a guiding force in human behavior and religious understanding in China. Confucius believed that when people behaved well and acted morally, they were simply carrying out what heaven expected of them.

Daoism Daoism takes its name from Dao, meaning “the way.” Daoism stressed living in harmony with the Dao, the guiding force of all reality. In Daoist teachings, the Dao gave birth to the universe and all things in it.

Daoism Daoism developed in part as a reaction to Confucianism. Daoists didn’t agree with the idea that active, involved leaders brought social harmony. Instead, they wanted the government to stay out of people’s lives.

Daoism Daoists believed that people should avoid interfering with nature or each other. The ideal ruler was a wise man who was in harmony with the Dao. They should be like water and simply let things flow in a natural way.

Daoism Daoists taught that the universe is a balance of opposites: female and male, light and dark, low and high. In each case, opposing forces should be in harmony.

Daoism While Confucianism focused its followers’ attention on the human world, Daoists paid more attention to the natural world. Daoists regarded humans as just a part of nature, not better than any other thing. In time the Dao, as represented by nature, became so important to the Daoists that they worshipped it.

Daoism Laozi was the most famous Daoist teacher. He taught that people should not try to gain wealth, nor should they seek power. Laozi is credited with writing the basic text of Daoism, The Way and Its Power. Later writers created many legends about Laozi’s achievements.

Legalism Legalism is the belief that people were bad by nature and needed to be controlled. It contrasted with both Confucianism and Daoism. Unlike the other two beliefs, Legalism was a political philosophy without religious concerns. Instead, it dealt only with government and social control.

Legalism Followers of Legalism disagreed with the moral preaching of Confucius. Legalists also rejected Daoism because it didn’t stress respect for authority. Legalists, such as Han Fei Zi, felt that society needed strict laws to keep people in line and that punishments shouldn’t crimes.

Legalism Unity and efficiency were also important to Legalists. They wanted appointed officials, not nobles, to run China. Legalists wanted the empire to continue to expand. Therefore, they urged the state to always be prepared for war.

Legalism All three beliefs became popular, but the Legalists were the first to put their ideas into practice throughout China.

Questions pages166-171 Copy Questions and Answer in a complete Sentence How did the Zhou political order affect society What was the Warring States Period? Why did Confucius believe that China needed to return to ethics? What is Daoism? What did Legalists believe society needed?