Ancient China – During and After the Zhou Dynasty

The Decline of the Zhou Dynasty falls into chaos as warrior lords begin fighting each other for power Ancient values of social harmony, respect and good government begin to fall apart New people and ideas arise to help China Confucius Laozi and Daoism (Taoism) Legalism and Shi Huangdi

The Ideas of Confucius Lived during 551-479 BCE Believed social harmony, respect & good gov’t could be restored w/ 5 relationships Thought people were naturally good, not bad Ruler and Subject Father and Son Older and Younger Bro 5 Relationships Husband and Wife Friend and Friend

The Ideas of Confucius 5 relationships were based on proper conduct (ex. Rulers kind, subjects loyal) Believed in filial piety- respect for ones parents and elders Code of politeness still used today Believed in bureaucracy & education Education was a way to advance yourself Became the way of the gov’t for years Book written of his ideas- “The Analects” Confucianism never a religion; only an ethical system

Laozi and the Daoists Laozi- another leader in China Believed in the ‘natural order’ of the world A simple life with inner peace/ harmony Called ‘the Dao’- or the way (Daoism) Daoism- following the way in life Believed everything in nature follows the Dao except humans Humans argue and question Daoists study the sciences Leads to advancements in alchemy, astronomy and medicine

The Legalists Believed in highly efficient and powerful gov’t was the way to restore order Use law to end civil disorder Would restore social harmony Believed rulers should give rich rewards and harsh punishments for actions Believed any books or people challenging gov’t should be destroyed Later these thoughts will become actions

Other New Ideas for China Some people did not like the new ideas Used old ideas or oracles for guidance I Ching- throwing coins and referring to oracle readings for answers Comparable to oracle bones or Yatzee Yin and Yang- balance of masculine and feminine in the world for Confucianism and Daoism Yang (masculine), yin (feminine) Both ideas used to help explain the world

The Qin Dynasty Arises Qin dynasty takes power from the Zhou Shi Huangdi comes to power Name means 1st Emperor Practices Legalism to run China Ends internal fighting and defeats outside invaders of China Expands empire to its largest size Worked to unify all of China under his power

Achievements of Shi Huangdi Creates an autocracy- one leader holds all the power of an area Creates a centralized gov’t- gov’t run from a central or internal location He ran gov’t from his city, took all lands Moved all nobles in the city to watch them Murdered Confucian thinkers, burned books Built highways for trade Set standards for money, writing and law Style was unpopular, but he unified China

The Great Wall of China Built from the walls of the past Shi Huangdi responsible for their construction Used peasants to build the walls Many died and were buried in the walls Great Wall can be seen from space

The Han Dynasty is Born Huangdi dies and the Han dynasty comes to power Liu Bang is victorious over other leaders Han dynasty also uses centralized gov’t People paid taxes and 1 month of labor People tested for civil service jobs Tested on Confucian knowledge Major Han Achievements Paper (105 AD), collar harness, 2-blade plow, wheelbarrow, keeping silk secret hidden, porcelain Han dynasty will fall due to uneven distribution of wealth b/w rich and poor

The Map of the Silk Roads The Silk Roads were one of the most important trade routes in the world Connected China to the rest of the world Sold numerous products including silk, porcelain, and spread ideas on government and Buddhism