Transcript power point
The Unification of China Section 4 The social disorder of the warring states contributes to the development of three Chinese ethical systems Confucius and the Social Order Zhou Dynasty Lasted 1027 to 256 BC; ancient values decline near end of dynasty CONFUCIUS Influencial scholar, 551 BC, desired to restore order and moral living in China Confucius Orders Harmony • End of Zhou Dynasty is time of disorder • Scholar Confucius wants to restore order, harmony, and good government • Stresses developing good relationships including family • Promotes filial piety- respect for parents and ancestors • Hopes to reform society by promoting good government Confucius and the Social Order • Confucian ideas about government – Thinks education can transform people – Teachings become foundation of bureaucracy, a trained civil service, those who run government – Confucianism is an ethical system of right and wrong, not a religion – Chinese government and social order is based on Confucianism Other Ethical Systems • Daoists seek harmony – Laozi teaches that people should follow the natural order of life – Believes the universal force called Dao guides all things – Daoism philosophy is to understand nature and be free of desire – Influence science of alchemy, astronomy, and medicine Other Ethical Systems • Legalists urge harsh rule –Legalism emphasizes use of law to restore order; stifles criticism –Teaches that obedience should be rewarded, disobedience should be punished Other Ethical Systems • What is the I I Ching and Yin andCHING? Yang Book of oracles – I Ching offers good advice, used to solve sense problems common – Concept of yin and yang- two powers is the Yin and yang? represent rhythm ofWhat universe Two powers that represented the natural – Yin: cold, dark, soft rhythms mysterious; yang: of life. Yin (cold dark mysterious) Yang warm, bright, hard, clear (warm bright) – I Ching and yin and yang explain how people fit into the world • Understanding the Balance of Yin and Yang • There was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "Maybe," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Maybe," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "Maybe," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "Maybe," said the farmer. Moral: misfortune and fortune tend to cancel/balance each other in a person’s life, and you never can tell what really is bad or good. It’s all relative. The Qin Dynasty Unifies China Replaces Zhou in third century BC A New Emperor takes control – Shi Huangdi unifies China, ends fighting, conquers new land – 36 administrative districts controlled by Qin officials – Murders Confucian scholars, burns books – Establish autocracy, govt. with unlimited power Qin Dynasty Replaced Zhou Dynasty, third century BC. Short-lived dynasty, began building the Great wall Shi Huangdi Qin ruler worked to unify China The Qin Dynasty Unifies China • Program of Centralization – Shi Huangdi builds highways, irrigation projects, and increase trade – Set standards for writing, law, and currency, and weights and measures – Harsh rule includes high taxes and repressive government After ruling for 37 years Shi Huangdi suddenly died of illness. He was in constant terror of being assassinated, and took great pains to thwart any attempt. He did like to tour his empire, though, and it was on one of his tours that he “succumbed” to illness. Before his death, Shi Huangdi began having his royal tomb built. He knew how to go out in style. Archaeologists have discovered his famous terracotta soldier tomb. More that seven-thousand terra-cotta soldiers modeled on the elite-guard were buried along with Shi huangdi to offer him protection in the afterlife Great Wall of China •Emperor forces peasants to build Great Wall to keep out invaders Qin unifies China The fall of Qin Shi Huangdi’s son loses throne to rebel leader; Han Dynasty begins