Transcript History Alive - Birmingham Public Schools

History Alive
Chapter 21
Three Chinese Philosophies
Key Terms
Mandate of Heaven
A power or law believed to be granted by a god
Feudalism
A system of government based on landowners and tenants
Zhou dynasty
Lasted from 1045 to 256 B.C.E. In later years different leaders fought for control
of China. The country was thrown into disorder. Three philosophies emerged
about the best way t have peace and order in society.
Yin and yang
Opposite forced in nature such as life and death. True harmony came from
balancing these forces.
The Chinese Feudal System
King
Lords
Peasants
What group belongs in the box at the bottom of this diagram?
The Zhou dynasty came
after the
The Zhou dynasty kept
order in China far several
hundred years because it
Shang Dynasty.
claimed to have a
mandate from
heaven.
As the Zhou dynasty
The Warring States Period
broke down several small
states gained power in
what was called
All this disorder lead to
Three school of thought:
the development of
Daoism, Confucianism,
Legalism
Daoism’s book, Dao De Jing, was
supposedly written by Lao Tzi but
scholars think
In Confucianism people must obey
those above them and in return
they
What are basic facts on legalism?
Was likely written over time by
many writers (p. 210)
Must treat those below well
and set a good example
People are naturally selfish.
Because of this strict laws are
needed and punishments for
breaking laws must be harsh.
Civil servants should be monitored
closely and punished if they do a
bad job.
Confucianism
Philosophy
Goal
Confucianism
Founder:
Confucius
A just and
peaceful society
How
Achieved
All people must
respect and obey
those above them.
Those with authority
should set a good
example.
Influence
Civil servants were
hired on the bases
of ability and had to
pass tests.
Values such as
respect for elders,
proper behavior and
love of scholarship
became part of
Chinese culture.
Daoism
Philosophy
Goal
Daoism
Founder:
Laozi
Simple and
natural living.
How
Achieved
Influence
Happiness and
peace were
gained by living in
harmony with
nature.
Rulers were
encouraged to
rule less harshly.
Influenced
Chinese thought,
writing and art.
Daoism
developed into a
popular religion.
Legalism
Philosophy
Goal
Legalism
Founder:
Hanfeizi
Peace and order
in society
How
Achieved
Influence
Rulers should
establish strict
laws with
rewards for good
behavior and
harsh
punishment for
bad behavior.
The Qin dynasty
used legalist
ideas to build a
strong central
government and
well-organized
society.