The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas The Big

The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas The Big Idea The Zhou dynasty brought political stability and new ways to deal with social and political problems in ancient China.

The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas * Zhou Dynasty Expands *Confucius offers ideas to bring order *Daoism and Legalism gain followers

The Zhou Political System • The Zhou people worked with other tribes to overthrow the Shang dynasty in the 1100 s BC. • Zhou leaders believed that their rulers were mandated by heaven, and that heaven would find another leader when necessary. • A new political order was established: the king granted plots of land to lords, who in turn provided soldiers and paid taxes to the king. Poor farmers were granted land as well, and remained under the rule of the lords. • The lords helped Zhou rulers keep control of the dynasty.

The Zhou Dynasty King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang around 1027 B. C. . The dynasty lasted until 222 B. C. , making it the longest lasting. Chinese dynasty.

The Zhou period was filled with unrest. Attacks from surrounding states weakened the dynasty until by the 700 s B. C. , it had lost most of its power.

The Warring States Period Thousands of armies fought each other to gain territory. The armies used new weapons and battle techniques in the civil wars that lasted more than 200 years.

By 481 BC, China had entered an era called the Warring States period, a time of many civil wars. Armies grew. Soldiers fought for territory, not honor

During the Warring States period, China lacked a strong government to stop the power struggles within the ruling-class families

The Zhou dynasty is called the Classical Age of China because of its many important developments in religion, literature, and government.

Decline of the Zhou Dynasty • As the lords’ power grew, they became uninterested in serving Zhou rulers. Many refused to fight against Zhou enemies. • In 771 BC, the Zhou suffered a loss to invaders. The dynasty survived, but morale weakened, and the Zhou began to fight among themselves. • The Warring States Period marked power struggles between the ruling-class families. • Problems within the government paralleled problems within large family systems, which were breaking down. Bonds of loyalty weakened within even small families, and disorder fell upon China.

Confucius Changes China What effects did the teachings of Confucius have on China?

Scholars began to search for ways to end the unrest. One of these scholars was Confucius.

Confucius was a scholar and teacher who lived from 551 B. C. to 479 B. C. Confucius suggested ways to bring order, peace, and traditional values to China.

Confucianism Moral Values Disgusted with the rude and insensitive nature of the people around him, Confucius pushed for a return to ethics, or moral values. The Analects This code of ethics was passed down and written in a book. These stories focused on morality, family, society, and government. Leading by Example One of the major ideas Confucius put forth for the success of both family and government was leading by example. Confucius believed that when people behaved well and acted morally, they were carrying out what heaven expected of them.

Confucius loved learning, and mastered writing, mathematics, history, and archery. Confucius got a job for the government , but later devoted his life to teaching. Confucius’ ideas were called, Confucianism. Confucius claimed that Chinese culture had lost its traditions, and that ancient traditions had once made society fair and good.

Confucius taught that men should follow a tradition of learning. Through education, people from rulers to farmers could learn how to become good people once again.

Women were taught to support and serve in the home, but they did not receive the education available to many men. Confucius felt that such rules would lead to a good society.

A central idea of Confucianism is filial piety, or respect of children toward their parents. This idea also applied to a government- a subject must respect the ruler, who had a duty to be wise and good.

Confucius’s thoughts were recorded by his students in a book called The Analects are selected writings.

The Confucius School Confucianism focuses on morality, family, society, and government. Confucianism is a unique teaching that is philosophical and religious.

Confucius supported: * Education * Loyalty and love of others * Filial Piety * Men should follow a tradition of learning * Women support and serve the home

Daoism • Daoism comes from Dao, meaning “the way. ” • Daoists believed that people should avoid interfering with nature or each other. • Laozi wrote The Way and Its Power, a book teaching that power and wealth are unnecessary.

Lao Zi is said to have founded Daoism became a religion for many, and it influenced Chinese poetry, painting and values.

Lao Tzu or Lao Zi “Old Sage” or “Old Master” ý Born c. 604 bc ý Author of Tao te Ching or Taodejing: The Way and Its Power ý Legendary life

Daoists believed that the tao, or the way, to truth could not be found in everyday concerns. Instead, it was believed to be in the force or energy that is the source of all that exists. Daoists believed that governments should leave people alone.

Legalism • Legalism is the political philosophy that people need to be controlled. • It is unconcerned with religion or individual thought, and prepared always for war. • Legalists put their ideas into practice throughout China

Legalism is the belief that people are bad by nature and need to be controlled. Legalists feel society needed strict laws to keep people in line and punishments should fit the crimes.