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Ancient ChinaThe Shang and Zhou DynastiesThe First Chinese EmpiresChinese Philosophies

China: Satellite Imagery

Population Density in East Asia

Modern Growth of China

Shang and Zhou Dynasty ArtWhat might Zhou Dynasty art tell us about this civilization?

Shang Dynasty (1750-1045 B.C)Economic & Social Life Farming society ruled by an aristocracy Aristocracy: wealthy, landowning class Society was focused on warfarePolitical Governed by a king in Anyang that had control of the military Provincial officials helped king and governed territories

Shang DynastyReligion Believed in supernatural forces; communicated with gods via oraclebones interpreted by priests Believe in life after death and venerated ancestors Protecting the spirits of ancestors was necessary to creating goodfortuneTechnological Mastered the forging of bronze

Zhou Dynasty (1045 B.C. to 256 B.C.)Economic & Social Life Feudal society where lord owned land worked by peasantsSmall class of artisans and merchants that lived in walled townsFamily served as an important unit of economic and social life Labor-intensive agriculture required a large, close-knit familyFilial piety: members of the family are subordinate to a malePolitical Led by a king that headed a bureaucracyTerritory divided into provinces headed by government officialsKing commanded the military

Zhou DynastyReligion Ruled by the “Mandate of Heaven,” meaning god was the link betweenheaven and earthKing ruled according to the “Dao,” or, “the way;”Technological Farming technology increased food production and populationUse of iron plows to cultivate landDeveloped written language based on pictographs

Background Info “Philosophy” comes from Greek roots: philo love and sophia wisdom The study of truths or principles A system of beliefs that guide everyday life

Philosophy in China Late Zhou dynasty and Warring States period (770-453B.C.E.) Great power struggles between states (kingdoms) createinstability Rulers searched for best way to govern based onunderstanding of human nature Three most influential philosophies were Confucianism,Daoism, & Legalism

ConfucianismFounder: Kongfuzi, also called ConfuciusGoal: Just and peaceful societyBelief:–Society is based on relationships.–When people act properly in their relationships, society thrives–Respect and obey those above you, set good example for those below you–Wisdom in word and action is more important than wealth

DaoismFounder: Laozi, a Zhou court advisorGoal: Create harmony by finding natural balanceBelief:–The Dao, or “Way” is a force that gives order to the universe–Nature is full of opposites, represented by yin and yang (i.e. light & dark, life &death)–Avoid feeling self-important or trying to achieve wealth and fame—it is not natural–Laws and rules prevent natural harmony, so a ruler should rule as little aspossible–

LegalismFounder: Hanfeizi, a prince from Han stateGoal: create peace and order through strict lawsBelief:–People are selfish and cannot be trusted, even family members–Rulers should use strict laws and absolute power to create order–Reward good behavior, but punish bad behavior severely

Chinese Philosophy QuotesCONFUCIANISM, DAOISM OR LEGALISM?

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?1. If thirty days after the issuing of this order theowners of these books have still not have themdestroyed, they should have their face tattooed and becondemned to hard labor at the Great Wall,' The onlybooks which need not be destroyed are those dealingwith medicine, divination, and agriculture. Those whowant to study the law can learn it from the officers.

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?2. Be content with what youhave; rejoice in the way thingsare. When you realize there isnothing lacking, the wholeworld belongs to you.

3. A leader is best when people barelyknow he exists, not so good whenpeople obey and acclaim him, worstwhen they despise him. But of a goodleader, who talks little, when his work isdone, his aim fulfilled, they will say,'We did this ourselves.'

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?The snow goose need notbathe to make itself white.Neither need you do anythingbut be yourself.4.

5. I humbly propose that all historical records butthose of Qin be burned. If anyone who is not a courtscholar dares to keep the ancient songs, historicalrecords or writings of the hundred schools, theseshould be confiscated and burned by the provincialgovernor and army commander. Those who inconversation dare to quote the old songs and records'should be publicly executed; those who use oldprecedents to oppose the new order should have theirfamilies wiped out; and officers who know of such

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?6. A good traveler has nofixed plans, and is notintent on arriving.

7. Study the past if youwould define the future.

8. To be able under allcircumstances to practice fivethings constitutes perfect virtue;these five things are gravity,generosity of soul, sincerity,earnestness and kindness.

9. Respect yourself andothers will respect you.

10. The superior man, when resting in safety, does notforget that danger may come. When in a state ofsecurity he does not forget the possibility of ruin.When all is orderly, he does not forget that disordermay come. Thus his person is not endangered, and hisStates and all their clans are preserved.

11. When anger rises, thinkof the consequences.

12. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneouschanges. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow.Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forwardin whatever way they like.”

13. “Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,'is like saying, 'I don't want to.”

Chinese Philosophy QuotesCONFUCIANISM, DAOISM OR LEGALISM?ANSWERS

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?1.If thirty days after the issuing of this order theowners of these books have still not have themdestroyed, they should have their face tattooed andbe condemned to hard labor at the Great Wall,' Theonly books which need not be destroyed are thosedealing with medicine, divination, and agriculture.Those who want to study the law can learn it fromthe officers.

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?2. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the waythings are. When you realize there is nothinglacking, the whole world belongs to you. Daoism3. A leader is best when people barely know he exists,not so good when people obey and acclaim him,worst when they despise him. But of a good leader,who talks little, when his work is done, his aimfulfilled, they will say, 'We did this ourselves.‘

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?4. The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white.Neither need you do anything but be yourself. Daoism5. I humbly propose that all historical records but thoseof Qin be burned. If anyone who is not a court scholardares to keep the ancient songs, historical records orwritings of the hundred schools, these should beconfiscated and burned by the provincial governor andarmy commander. Legalism

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?6. A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is notintent on arriving. Daoism7. Study the past if you would define the future.Confucianism

8. To be able under all circumstances to practice fivethings constitutes perfect virtue; these five things aregravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness andkindness. Confucianism9. Respect yourself and others will respect you.Confucianism

10. The superior man, when resting in safety, doesnot forget that danger may come. When in a state ofsecurity he does not forget the possibility of ruin.When all is orderly, he does not forget that disordermay come. Thus his person is not endangered, andhis States and all their clans are preserved. Confucianism

12. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneouschanges. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow.Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturallyforward in whatever way they like.”Daoism

13. “Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,'is like saying, 'I don't want to.”-Daoism

14. When it comes to uncles, brothers, and chiefvassals, he should punish them when their advice leadsto failure, and promote them when their advice leadsto success. He should not promote them erratically.-Legalism

Chinese PhilosophiesIn your notes, above each Chinese philosophy, writedown 3 words you would use to describe eachphilosophical tradition.

Chinese Philosophies Imagine you are the principal at a new middleschool.What type of philosophy would you adopt to run asuccessful school?What kinds of rules would you adopt?What would the culture of this school be like?

Think about it How would each philosophy affect the way a ruler ran his/herstate? Respond: Imagine that the school is adopting one of the three Chinesephilosophies and using it to run the school.–Which philosophy would be best for running a successful school? Why?–What are some specific examples of what someone would experience in a schoolunder this philosophy?Paint a picture with words describing what someone would see/hear, how theywould act/interact, etc.

Shang Dynasty Religion Believed in supernatural forces; communicated with gods via oracle bones interpreted by priests Believe in life after death and venerated ancestors Protecting the spirits of ancestors was necessary to creating good fortune Technological Mastered the forging of bronze. Zhou Dynasty (1045 B.C. to 256 B.C.) Economic & Social Life Feudal society where lord owned land worked .