Ancestor Worship
What is ancestor worship?
Ancestor worship was a central part of the shang religion. It involved respecting the spirits of dead ancestors in the hope of gaining rewards and avoiding displeasure that could lead to bad things happening to families
Why did the Shang believe that their kings should rule?
The Mandate of Heaven
What did kings do for lords?
Land
Who was Confucius?
He Taught this philosophy to many people into a book called the Analects
What does the word "Dao" mean?
Dao means “way”
Why did people in Ancient China worship their ancestors?
The shang believed it was important to honor their ancestors because they thought that dead ancestors had the opwer to help or harm the living. By honoring them, they hoped to gain favor and avoid negative consequences
How would something bad, like a natural disaster or weak ruler, affect the Dynastic Cycle?
Natural disasters would affect the dynastic cycle because of the mandate of heaven which is where people think that the gods are making these natural disasters because the king isn’t very good
What did lords (nobles) do for kings?
Taxes, Advice, Military
What did Confucius say a superior person should do for an inferior person?
Set a good example & take care of interest
What does Daoism say about the way of nature?
Live more naturally, living simple lives, meditating, and trying to accept the balances of nature
In a dynasty, how was a king chosen?
According to shang beliefs, kings had the power to rule because They were descended from powerful ancestors
In the Dynastic Cycle, what would a new dynasty do once it had gained power in Ancient China?
A new dynasty would restore peace in the empire
What did lords do for peasants?
Land
What did Confucius say an inferior person should do for a superior person?
Must be loyal & respect and obey
According to Daoism, how should people live?
People should avoid trying to gain wealth
What was writing like in the Ancient Shang Dynasty?
In The Shang Dynasty, writing characters stand for words
What is an aristocracy?
Government ruled by noble or wealthy families
What did peasants do for lords(nobles)?
Taxes, Rules, Fighting in Battles
According to Daoism, and what did the best leaders do?
The best rulers were one who ruled the least
What did Shang kings use to make decisions such as when to go to war or where to build new cities?
The Shang Kings used oracle bones to make their decisions
What is a meritocracy?
Goverment Ruled by Officials of Proven Merit
According to Legalism, what are people like, and how should they be governed?
People should be governed very strictly