Schools of Thought in Ancient China
Confucianism:
The combination of political and ethical ideas to restore order in a confused society. The system was developed toward the end of the Zhou dynasty by Confucius, also known as the First Teacher. Through Confucianism, he spread the idea that all humans are basically good. His most influential idea was that the government service should be open to all men of superior talent and not limited to those of noble birth. Confucius centered his interests in philosophy instead of spiritual beliefs.
The combination of political and ethical ideas to restore order in a confused society. The system was developed toward the end of the Zhou dynasty by Confucius, also known as the First Teacher. Through Confucianism, he spread the idea that all humans are basically good. His most influential idea was that the government service should be open to all men of superior talent and not limited to those of noble birth. Confucius centered his interests in philosophy instead of spiritual beliefs.
Daoism:
System of ideas teaching that the will of Heaven is best followed through inaction. Many head ideas have been found in a short work known as The Way of the Dao. This system was developed by Laozi, also known as the Old Master, who is yet to be proven as existent. Daoism became an opponent to Confucianism. The best way to act in harmony with the universal order is to not interfere with the natural order.
System of ideas teaching that the will of Heaven is best followed through inaction. Many head ideas have been found in a short work known as The Way of the Dao. This system was developed by Laozi, also known as the Old Master, who is yet to be proven as existent. Daoism became an opponent to Confucianism. The best way to act in harmony with the universal order is to not interfere with the natural order.
Legalism:
Unlike Confucianism, Legalism is the belief that all human beings are evil by nature, but they can be converted into to the correct path by enforcing harsh laws on them. This system was also considered the "School of Law". They believed that only through harsh laws and punishment the serving of the interest of the ruler would be restored.
Unlike Confucianism, Legalism is the belief that all human beings are evil by nature, but they can be converted into to the correct path by enforcing harsh laws on them. This system was also considered the "School of Law". They believed that only through harsh laws and punishment the serving of the interest of the ruler would be restored.
The Qin Unify China
The Qin Dynasty:
China was experiencing a bloody civil war, but one state (that of Qin) defeated its rivals. By their victory, the Qin ruler created a new dynasty. The ruler of this dynasty was Qin Shihuangdi, which meant the "Fist Qin Emperor." Qin did achieve much; he created a single monetary, roads that traveled out his city (Xianyang), reduced the power of the aristocrats by spreading it throughout the peasants, created a great army, ... The army conquered a lot of land, mostly the south, and was able to get rid of any enemies. The dynasty had problems with the north, so they created what is now known as the Great Wall of China. The wall reflects their defensive needs. The Qin Dynasty adopted Legalism as their ideology of government power. The central bureaucracy was divided into three division: the civil division, military division, and censorate.
China was experiencing a bloody civil war, but one state (that of Qin) defeated its rivals. By their victory, the Qin ruler created a new dynasty. The ruler of this dynasty was Qin Shihuangdi, which meant the "Fist Qin Emperor." Qin did achieve much; he created a single monetary, roads that traveled out his city (Xianyang), reduced the power of the aristocrats by spreading it throughout the peasants, created a great army, ... The army conquered a lot of land, mostly the south, and was able to get rid of any enemies. The dynasty had problems with the north, so they created what is now known as the Great Wall of China. The wall reflects their defensive needs. The Qin Dynasty adopted Legalism as their ideology of government power. The central bureaucracy was divided into three division: the civil division, military division, and censorate.
The Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty was founded by Liu Pang, who was originally a peasant but later became known as Han Gaozu. Instead of enforcing the harsh laws of legalism, Han brought back the philosophy of Confucianism. But they kept the division of central government into three ministries, and the system of the local government dividing the empire into provinces and counties. The Han armies expanded their land southward and westward. Family became one of the central social units. Trade and manufacturing had a major expansion, and a lot of technology was created: textile manufacturing, water mills, iron casting, steel, paper, rudder, fore-and-aft rigging, ... Every empire comes to an end. The Han Dynasty's central government began to decline which sparked a corruption which brought up rebellions.