Ancient ChinaThe Shang and Zhou Dynasties

The First Chinese EmpiresChinese Philosophies

China: Satellite Imagery

Population Density in East Asia

Modern Growth of China

Shang and Zhou Dynasty Art

What 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 warfare

Political

● Governed by a king in Anyang that had control of the military● Provincial officials helped king and governed territories

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 by peasants● Small class of artisans and merchants that lived in walled towns● Family served as an important unit of economic and social life

○ Labor-intensive agriculture required a large, close-knit family

● Filial piety: members of the family are subordinate to a male

Political

● Led by a king that headed a bureaucracy● Territory divided into provinces headed by government officials● King commanded the military

Zhou DynastyReligion

● Ruled by the “Mandate of Heaven,” meaning god was the link between heaven and earth

● King ruled according to the “Dao,” or, “the way;”

Technological

● Farming technology increased food production and population● Use of iron plows to cultivate land● Developed written language based on pictographs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylWORyToTo4

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 (770-453 B.C.E.)

•Great power struggles between states (kingdoms) create instability

•Rulers searched for best way to govern based on understanding of human nature

•Three most influential philosophies were Confucianism, Daoism, & Legalism

Confucianism

Founder: Kongfuzi, also called Confucius

Goal: Just and peaceful society

Belief:

–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

Daoism

Founder: Laozi, a Zhou court advisor

Goal: Create harmony by finding natural balance

Belief:

–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 as possible

–

Legalism

Founder: Hanfeizi, a prince from Han state

Goal: create peace and order through strict laws

Belief:

–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

CONFUCIANISM, DAOISM OR LEGALISM?

Chinese Philosophy Quotes

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?

1. If thirty days after the issuing of this order the owners of these books have still not have them destroyed, they should have their face tattooed and be condemned to hard labor at the Great Wall,' The only books which need not be destroyed are those dealing with medicine, divination, and agriculture. Those who want to study the law can learn it from the officers.

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?

2. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

3. 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 aim fulfilled, 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.

5. I humbly propose that all historical records but those of Qin be burned. If anyone who is not a court scholar dares to keep the ancient songs, historical records or writings of the hundred schools, these should be confiscated and burned by the provincial governor and army commander. Those who in conversation dare to quote the old songs and records' should be publicly executed; those who use old precedents to oppose the new order should have their families wiped out; and officers who know of such cases but fail to report them should be punished in the same way.

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?

6. A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

7. Study the past if you would define the future.

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

9. Respect yourself and others will respect you.

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

11. When anger rises, think of the consequences.

12. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in 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.”

CONFUCIANISM, DAOISM OR LEGALISM?

ANSWERS

Chinese Philosophy Quotes

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?

1. If thirty days after the issuing of this order the owners of these books have still not have them destroyed, they should have their face tattooed and be condemned to hard labor at the Great Wall,' The only books which need not be destroyed are those dealing with medicine, divination, and agriculture. Those who want to study the law can learn it from the officers.

Legalism

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?

2. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. Daoism

3. 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 aim fulfilled, they will say, 'We did this ourselves.‘ Daoism

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?

4. The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself. Daoism

5. I humbly propose that all historical records but those of Qin be burned. If anyone who is not a court scholar dares to keep the ancient songs, historical records or writings of the hundred schools, these should be confiscated and burned by the provincial governor and army commander. Legalism

Confucianism, Daoism or Legalism?

6. A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. Daoism

7. Study the past if you would define the future. Confucianism

8. To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness. Confucianism 9. Respect yourself and others will respect you. Confucianism

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

● Confucianism

● 12. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward 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 chief vassals, he should punish them when their advice leads to failure, and promote them when their advice leads to success. He should not promote them erratically.

-Legalism

Chinese Philosophies

In your notes, above each Chinese philosophy, write down 3 words you would use to describe each philosophical tradition.

Chinese Philosophies

● Imagine you are the principal at a new middle school.

● What type of philosophy would you adopt to run a successful 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/her state?

•Respond: Imagine that the school is adopting one of the three Chinese philosophies 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 school under this philosophy?

Paint a picture with words describing what someone would see/hear, how they would act/interact, etc.