Shang Dynasty First verifiable dynasty harsh brutal rule

Shang Dynasty - First verifiable dynasty - harsh, brutal rule - demanded human sacrifice! - Created several key ideas that has lasted in China - ancestor worship idea that we pray to our ancestors to get their help Great bronze workers!!! - Ruled China from about 1700 BCE to 1027 BCE

Shang & Zhou Dynasties Shang was verified because of Oracle Bones - Tortoise shells or cattle bones - Shang kings were listed on them with their deeds - Shang falls to Zhou dynasty due to corruption & ineptitude - Zhou creates 2 long lasting ideas - Mandate of Heaven - idea that kings rule because the gods favor them

Dynastic Cycle New dynasty claims the Mandate of Heaven àNew Dynasty: restores peace, appoints new officials, redistributes land to peasants, builds infrastructure After several generations, new dynasty becomes an aging dynasty Aging dynasty: neglects gov’t duties, ignores corrupt officials, loses control of provinces, impose heavy taxes, defenses crumble àAging dynasty begin losing the Mandate of Heaven àProblems: floods, invasions, crime, revolts àAging dynasty loses the Mandate of Heaven New dynasty claims the Mandate of Heaven

Era of Warring States - Zhou was time of disunity - many different states formed & fought each other for control - known as Era of Warring States - Period of great unrest - people began to look for solutions to political problems

Chinese Philosophies - Three main schools: Confucius 1. Confucianism – founded by Confucius 2. Daoism – founded by Lao-Tzu 3. Legalism – main proponent was Han Fei-Tzu ← Lao-Tzu Han Fei-Tzu

Confucianism b. 551 BCE, d. 479 BCE - born into noble family (father was a warrior), but would grow up in poverty after father died - worked at various jobs as adult, until becoming a government minister - worked for many different kingdoms and explained his philosophy, but ideas never implemented - became a teacher and viewed his life as a failure - would become most influential person in history!!!!!!!!

Confucianism - Five Social Relationships - looked back at earlier time – found ancient times were better because people respected their ELDERS!! - must return to those principles – Social Relationships (a) father and son (loving / reverential) (b) ruler and subject (benevolent / loyal) (c) husband wife (good / listening) (d) elder brother and younger brother (gentle / respectful) (e) older friend and younger friend (considerate / deferential)

Confucianism - Five Social Relationships - there is a superior and inferior person in each relationship - superior is role model - inferior must be obedient - understand your place - order comes from knowing and maintaining your role - did not care about individual rights or salvation - emphasized virtues - courtesy, selflessness, obedience, respect, diligence, communal obligation, working for a common good, social harmony, and empathy - filial piety respect for family & parents

Confucianism - conformity to rules are important - stresses group over the individual - return to these beliefs would bring order - meritocracy people rise in status through good work - Middle Way look for balance in life - Golden Rule do not treat others in ways you do not want to be treated - Civil Service

Confucianism Nature of People Government People are good but can be ignorant Ruled by emperor who provides a good role model for the people Laws Many rules with just and fair punishments Society Nature of Evil Hierarchy Ignorance with superior & inferior people; People know their roles; can rise up in status with education

Daoism (Taoism) - founded by Lao-Tzu (Laozi) - may have been mythical figure - legend holds he left village because no one was listening - stopped by village guard and he had him write down his beliefs becomes known as the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) - believed society was chaotic because of the rules - NO RULES NO RULE BREAKERS!!!!

Daoism - man in his natural state was good - nature provides everything - artificial ideas – wealth, possession, laws, etc. – causes evil - leave men alone, order will follow - “Do by not doing. ” wuwei - “Those who say, do not know; those who know, do not say. ” Yin and yang - “The Dao that can be known is not Dao. The substance of the World is only a name for Dao is all that exists and may exist”

Nature of People Daoism Government People are No naturally Government; good government is artificial and therefore evil Laws Society Nature of Evil No laws; laws are the cause of crime – no laws there can be no crime People do what comes naturally to them – since they are naturally good, people will not take advantage of others Artificial rules and regulations; creation of artificial concepts such as ownership

Legalism – School of Law - goal was to strengthen government & reinforce adherence to the law - all people are fundamentally flawed - all humans are selfish and evil - harsh laws & punishments required to keep them in order -create meritocracy - strong military needed to control people - all people must subordinate self to state

Legalism Han Fei Tzu (Han Feizi) – wanted strong ruler obeyed by all - must not be kind harshness over benevolence - cannot “spoil” people or it threatens order - Qin dynasty - ruled by Shi Huang Di first emperor of China (221 -207 BCE)

Legalism Nature of People Government Laws Evil, selfish, lazy Strong king (or emperor) that everybody obeys Few laws but with severe & harsh punishment; Laws are applied equally to all and always enforced equally with no consideration for degrees Society Nature of Evil King at top People in with gov’t natural officials for state enforcement; upward mobility; Rewards for good behavior and severe punishment for breaking laws