1. Who was Confucius and what were his values?
Confucius was a philosopher in china, 551 – 479 B.C. He was born in the village of Zou and went by the name of Kong Zi, but his name at birth was K’ung Ch’iu. He married at the age of 19 and had one son and two daughters. By the time he was 20 he had been a keeper of the market, a farm worker and the governor of his district. He wandered around China for 13yrs making wise phrases and theories about the law, life and the government. Confucius died at the age of 72, and was buried at Ch’u Fu, Shandong. His values were: love others, honour parents, do what’s right, don’t practice hypocrisy, rule by example, don’t rule by violence or force.
2. What are the key elements of Confucianism?
The key elements of Confucianism are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These are the key elements, because they all work upon each other perfectly.
3. What is Daoism and is it still followed?
Daoism is also known as Taoism, the word Daoism means “path”. Daoism “regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of opposites.”* Daoism began as a combination of philosophy and psychology, which in 440 A.D. turned into a religious faith. Daoism is centered in Taiwan.
4. What were the Chinese Dynasties? How did these dynasties rule China?
Ancient China
Neolithic: ca 12000 – 2000 BC
This dynasty was agricultural settlements… nothing else is said of this dynasty
Xia: 2100 – 1800 BC
It was agricultural and the rulers were also Shamans who communicated with the spirits in all matters. Nothing else is really said.
Shang: 1700 – 1027 BC
Agricultural and writing was invented, nothing else said.
Western Zhou: 1027 – 771 BC
This dynasty was semi-nomadic as they were forced east by the barbarians from the north. It was a feudal government and by being semi-nomadic they learnt to work with the different cultures they encountered.
Eastern Zhou: 770 – 221 BC
The emperor lost his power to the lords as the lords realised that the emperor was not as strong as he appeared to be. There was war during 475 – 221 BC as states fought to gain control of the nation. There is nothing said about the way the country was ruled.
Early Imperial China
Qin: 221 – 207 BC
The Emperor was self-proclaimed to be the first emperor of China. The military was strong while the cultural side of China was weak. The nation was divided into 36 prefectures which were then further subdivided into counties. Each prefecture had a civil governor, military commander, and an imperial health inspector. The state had complete control over the nation. The nobilities lost their power, which probably would have caused unrest in the nation. The Great Wall was also built in the North for protection from invasions; the Terracotta Army was also created.
Western Han: 206 BC – 9 AD
This dynasty rose from a rebellion, Confucian ideals were put into practice by the ruler, there was direct control of people by the state. The Silk Road was created, which increased trading, borders expanded up to Vietnam and Korea. Education became important. In there was peasant uprising due to the way they were treated.
Three Kingdoms: 220 – 265 AD
There was disunity and civil war as the three economic areas fought to have control of the country. Tea was discovered along with porcelain. Armies of mounted bowmen were used; these were mainly nobles because they had the money to buy horses.
Western Chin: 265 – 316 AD
China was united during 280 AD, but they were in danger of invasions as they had lost many troops due to the civil war. There was a large migration of civilians into rural areas. China was then defeated by the Huns.
Southern and Northern Dynasties: 420 – 588 AD
The North and South split and there was once more civil war. During this dynasty, Buddhism flourished as civilians believed that by reincarnation they would come back with a better life, which says that the civilians were mistreated.
Classical Imperial China
Sui: 580 – 618 AD
China was once more united; a new emperor sat on the throne. But this emperor overspent money, and treated the villagers with cruelty. He organized costly campaigns which a lot of the times, were failures. The borders were expanded south.
T’ang 618 – 907 AD
Canals were built which brought economic development, there was a land distribution program, which did not work very well as the taxes, and etc. was high. The production of rice increased, free verse poetry was introduced. There was the only female empress, she increased the taxes and dues, as she was supported by the Buddhist temples, and they too became wealthy. There were many peasant uprisings and the first uprising which succeed was in 860 AD.
