Eurasian Cultural Traditions 500 BCE to 500 CE Pre-AP World History Notes “China and the Search for Order”

The State of China Chaos Growing violence Disharmony and disunity “Age of Warring States” These issues led many to find solutions to China’s problems

The Legalist Answer Founder of Legalism = Han Fei Legalists viewed humans as inherently stupid and immoral Legalists believed in rules and laws that were strict, clearly spelled out, and enforced through a system of rewards and punishments

The Legalist Answer Legalism = used by Emperor Qin Shihuangdi during the Qin Dynasty to restore unity and order to China

The Confucian Answer Confucius = from an aristocratic family in northern China Became a teacher Believed in ethics = good conduct and moral judgment

The Analects A short book of the teachings of Confucius Compiled by his students after his death

The Confucian Answer The moral example of superiors Relied on unequal relationships within society Ruler over subject Parent over child Husband over wife Old over young

Emphasis on Filial Piety Filial piety = respect for one’s elders and ancestors

Civil Service Exams Confucianism = incorporated into China’s civil service exams during the Han Dynasty Chinese men had to apply Confucian values to specific situations in these tests

The Daoist Answer Founder = Laozi Focus of Daoism = living in harmony with nature Urges withdrawal from society and entrance into a world of nature

The Dao “The Way” Universal force that guides all things

Yin and Yang 2 opposing forces present in all of nature YIN = cool, dark, female, submissive YANG = warm, light, male, aggressive