Ancient Chinese Philosophies of Legalism, Confucianism, and Taoism/ Ancient Chinese Rulers and Government

Legalism

belief that rulers should use the legal system (punishments) to force people to obey laws

Confucianism

the teachings of Confucius 551-479 BCE (respect for others was necessary for peace and harmony)

Daoism/Taoism

the teachings of Laozi 500s BCE....Taught that people need to learn how to live in harmony (peace) with nature

Dao

universal force or the way

Yin and Yang

 the opposite forces of life (hot/cold.....night/day.......rest/movement......shady/sunny)

autocratic

rule with total power (similar to a dictator or king)

Commentaries

36 government regions of the Qin Dynasty

dynasty

ruling family

bureaucracy

all government offices 

bureaucrats

a government official ( used usually in a negative way)

Standardized

make many things the same

Infrastructure

 the system of public works of a country (roads, bridges, government, canals, \*any large project that helps a country)

tyrant

a cruel and oppressive ruler (Can you think of some in history ?)

merit

a good quality or feature that deserves to be praised and rewarded (Q.Is hiring a person based on merit good ? Explain)

How did Emperor Qin unify China into an empire ? 

\*conquered 6 other Chinese states > created the 1st Chinese empire \n \*created a common currency(money) and standard units of measure > easier to trade \n \*everyone used the same type of writing > easier to trade and communicate \n \*constructed a vast network of roads and canals > easier to trade and travel \n \*began building the Great Wall  > protected empire from common enemy-Mongols

How do we know the Emperor  was a ruthless tyrant ? 

While he is credited with unifying the various warring states and establishing the Qin dynasty, his legacy is marred by his tyrannical rule. His harsh policies and brutal methods of governance have left a lasting impact on Chinese society.

One of the most infamous actions of Emperor Shi Huangdi was the burning of books and the burying of scholars. This was done to suppress intellectual freedom and maintain strict control over the population. The loss of valuable knowledge and the suppression of free thought had a lasting impact on Chinese culture and society.

In addition to his suppression of intellectual freedom, Emperor Shi Huangdi also forced labor on his subjects to build the Great Wall of China and his mausoleum. The construction of these monumental structures resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. The forced labor was grueling and dangerous, and many workers died from exhaustion, starvation, and exposure to the harsh elements.

Emperor Shi Huangdi also implemented strict laws and punishments, including the punishment of death for even minor offenses. He believed that the threat of punishment was necessary to maintain order and control over the population. However, these harsh laws and punishments only served to create a climate of fear and oppression.