Dynasties in China: Zhou, Qin & Han

Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty (approx. 1050 BC - 256 BC) founded after the
Shang dynasty was overthrown
it paved the way for great creative and intellectual
development in Chinese thought.
Zhou rulers believed that Heaven had given them the initiative
to rule. This was known as the "Mandate of Heaven
Justified royal authority and established dynastic cycles
The main schools of thought that emerged during the Zhou
period were Confucianism, Taoism (Daoism), and
Legalism.
Zhou: Schools of Thought-Confucianisim, Taoism,
& Legalism
Confucianism
Confucius and his disciples were primarily concerned
with moral and ethical action.
They argued that government officials needed to place
high esteem in morality to effectively rule the populace.
Confucius also regarded the importance of morality in
families to bind them tightly.
This emphasis on ethical action sparked a reaction from a
later school of thought known as Taoism.

Zhou: Schools of Thought-Confucianisim,
Taoism, & Legalism
Taoisim
The Taoists observed that nature and everything in it followed a
kind of abstract law known as the "Tao.
This focused on the impermanence of the cosmos; everything was
in a state of flux. The Taoists regarded any action, especially
ethically motivated action, as a hindrance to the natural flow of
the cosmos.
This implied that people should not attempt to change their
state; rather, they should accept any situation as it is.
It is a religion of unity and opposites; Yin and Yang. The
principle of Yin Yang sees the world as filled with
complementary forces - action and non-action, light and dark, hot
and cold, and so on
Feng Shui

Zhou: Schools of Thought-Confucianisim,
Taoism, & Legalism
Legalism
The Legalists believed that morality in the state was
ineffective. They argued that the state should employ
rigorous objective "Law" to control the general
populace and the state officials as well
Stressed punishment over rewards

Qin Dynasty
(approx. 256 BC - 202 BC) - was extremely short-lived and
rapidly declined after the death of the "First Emperor "
(Shihuangdi).
Prior to the coming of Qin rule, China had experienced much
civil strife and discord. The first Qin king (also known as the
First Emperor, or Shihuangdi) applied Legalist ideals to
consolidate China and efficiently administer the state by
improving infrastructure.
Responsible for mass murder of Confucian scholars
One famous example of this was the construction of the Great
Wall of China to defend China from nomadic marauders in the
north.
http://www.history.com/topics/great-wall-of-china/videos#history-of-the-great-wall
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/photography/behind-the-shot/terracotta-warriors-
mazzatenta/

Qin Accomplishments
One famous example of this was the construction of the
Great Wall of China to defend China from nomadic
marauders in the north.
Centralized system of highway and irrigation networks


http://www.history.com/topics/great-wall-of-china/videos#history-of-the-great-wall
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/photography/behind-the-shot/terracotta-warriors-
mazzatenta/

Han Dynasty
(approx. 206 BC - 220 BC) - The Han Dynasty's authority emerged
from a power struggle as the Qin dynasty's power dissolved.
The first emperor of the Han dynasty was opposed to the ideology of
Legalism. The entire rule of the Han dynasty radiated it's
appreciation of Confucianism.
The first emperor of the Han dynasty voided several of the extreme
Legalist policies that had been enacted by the Qin dynasty.
Confucianism was fostered and nurtured during this period.
Confucian scholars were employed by the state as administrators.
The Han dynasty did maintain a convoluted and expansive
bureaucracy mainly to defend from nomadic marauding in the north.

Han Accomplishments
Under the Han Dynasty paper was invented.
Chinese silk trade increased through the Silk Road
Peace, stability and prosperity with achievements in
education, science (seismograph), use of herbs and
acupuncture