Confucianism
Started that people should show courtesy and respect towards others, especially their elders.
Li (the first principle)
The Tao creates all things and ends all things; Tao is the essence of all things, thus nature and the observe of nature are one
Oneness
The law code should be clearly written and posted in public for all to see. The law should reward those who follow it and severely punish those who break it. The laws run the state NOT the ruler.
Law
Beginning with the Zhou Dynasty, Chinese rulers justified their power through the Mandate of Heaven, the belief that the emperor's right to rule was granted by driven authority. This concept persisted throughout all the following dynasties and was used to explain the rise and fall of rules.
Mandate of Heaven & Dynastic Cycle
During the Tang Dynasty, women had more freedom, especially in the imperial court. However, during the Song Dynasty, Confucian ideals reinforced stricter gender roles, and practices like foot-binding became more common
Woman's Status
Emphasizes the need to show concern for others. No matter their rank in society; everyone should be respected for what they have to offer.
Jen (The second principle)
Life and nature are always in constant balance; best symbolized by the yin and yan
Balance
To prevent other from seizing control of their state rulers should be hard to figure out and their actions cannot be predictable. No one should know their motivations.
Method
While Daoism and Legalism also played roles, confucianism became deeply embadded in Chinese society, especially from the Han dynasty oneard. Respect for elders, family values, and moral governance were emphasized throughout Chinese history.
Confucianism and traditional Beliefs
Early dynasties relied on bronze tools and weapons, but by the Han Dynasty, steel was introduced. The Tang and Son Dynasties developed gunpowder, improved engineering, and advanced medicine and chemistry.
Technological progress
Chun-Tzu (The third principle)
Just as life is always in balance, it is also in constant cycle. Like the sun replaces the moon, and the moon replaces the sun, so death will be replaced by new life.
Cycling
The position holds the power, not the person. They must enforce the law to protect their position.
Legitimacy
The belief in honoring ancestors and spirits remained a constant culture practice from the Shang Dynasty's oracle bones to later dynasties rituals.
Ancestor Worship and spiritual Beliefs
Writing evolved from oracle bones in the Shang Dynasty to calligraphy and widespread literacy in the Tang and Song due to the invention of printing.
Increased Literacy and Education
What are the five relationships?
Ruler and subject, Husband and wife, Father and Son, Older sibling and younger sibling, Friend and friend
Life constantly changes, and will present known circumstances. It is important to be flexible. Let life flow.
Harmony
One of the most common punishments, offenders were beaten with bamboo or wooden rods, severe beating could lead to permanent injury or death, this punishment was used for many offenses under Legalist law.
Beatings with Heavy Rods (Bastinado)
Agriculture was central to Chinese civilization, with irrigation and farming innovations continuing to develop. Trade also remained vital, with the Silk Road being particularly significant during the Han and Tang dynasties.
Agriculture & Trade
Buddhism was introduced during the Han Dynasty and flourished during the Tang Dynasty becoming a major influence on Chinese culture. However, by the Song Dynasty, there was a return to traditional Confucian ideals, leading to a decline in Buddhist influence.
Rise of Buddhism
The exam would cover proficiency in music, arithmetic, and horsemanship, as well as civil law, taxation, and geography. 57% of those who passed the exam were from families who had no connections to the emperor.
What is the other way to spell Daoism?
Taoism
Criminals were often sentenced to hard labor rather than execution, construction of the Great Wall of China, building roads, canals, and imperial tombs, mining or military labor, conditions were extremely harsh and many prisoners dies from exhaustion, starvations, or exposure.
Forced Labor
While internal policies changed, China maintained a strong trade network, particularly during the Han and Tang Dynasties while the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.
Silk Road & Trade Network
The Zhou Dynasty created the idea of the mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. This became a recurring theme throughout subsequent dynasties.
Mandate of Heaven introduced