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Ancient Chinese Dynasties and Philosophies: A Historical Overview

Explore the fascinating history of Ancient Chinese Dynasties like the Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang, along with the teachings of Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. Discover the technological advancements, societal structures, warfare tactics, and cultural developments that shaped China's ancient civilizations. Learn about the Mandate of Heaven, the Art of War, the Terracotta Warriors, the Silk Road, and the Golden Age of the Tang Dynasty. Understand the philosophies of Confucius, Han Feizi, and Laozi, and their impact on governance, ethics, and spirituality in Ancient China.

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Ancient Chinese Dynasties and Philosophies: A Historical Overview

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  1. Ancient Chinese Dynasties

  2. Shang Dynasty 1600-1050 BCE • Technology: • Bronze, chopsticks, jade, silk, spices, oracle bones and writing • Kingship moved from Brother to Brother or Brother to nephew • Mandate of Heaven • Shang imbued with right to rule by the gods • Gave ruler religious power • Only if they were good, cared about people • Gave secular power to decide what was good and right for people • Gods would remove him if he was not doing good for the people • Not limited to 1 family/dynasty. • Dynasty can be replaced and is justified • Successful invader has the support of the gods, because they chose him

  3. Zhou (Chou) 1046-256 BCE • Long-Lived • Government was Decentralized (Feudal kingdoms pledged allegiance) • Technology: • Roads and canals for trade • Chariots, bowmen • Science (astronomy) • Literature • Very RICH nobles and very POOR farmers • Confucius • Warring States (475-221 BCE)

  4. Warring States 475-221 BCE • China was dived into 7 competing nations • Qin, Chu (largest), Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi • Warfare aided by: • Cavalry, conscription, crossbows and armor • War tactics, training (development of military skill) and espionage • Sun Tzu’s ART of WAR • Significant developments in society, commerce, agriculture, philosophy and arts • Better tools and craft skills (metalworking) • Skilled artists • Growth of agriculture to feed armies • Irrigation and canal system • Display of extravagance • Walls, buildings, pottery, weapons • Town planning (grid systems) • Bronze coins • Led to unification of China

  5. Qin Dynasty 221-206 BCE • First unified China • Short-lived • Very cruel • Put to death dissenters • Great Wall got started • Books burned • Terra Cotta Warriors (Protectors of Emperor Shi Huangdi tomb): • 8000 soldiers, 520 horses, 150 cavalry, 130 chariots and weapons • No two alike, great detail • Took approx. 720,000 unpaid workers 30 yrs. to complete • Legalist • Emphasis on laws and procedures • Bureaucracy to run provinces

  6. Han Dynasty 206 BCE-220 CE • Long-lived • Expanded territory of China • Silk Road • Invention of paper • Free public education • Centralized govt. • Used for 2000 years after fall of dynasty • Han Wudi • Emperor (54 years) • Created imperial exams for govt. workers • Confucianism officially established as state religion • Philosophy of “uprightness”, social order and family responsibility

  7. Tang Dynasty 618-906 CE • The Golden Age of Ancient China • Came after the Age of Division (Warfare in China) • New trade • Bananas • Tea Drinking • Arts: • Literature, dancing, music, scroll painting and art • Perfected painted pottery with scenes of daily life, nature and zodiac • Chinese Calligraphy • Palace opened for artisans to practice • Buddhism started to be practiced in China

  8. Confucianism • Confucius lived 551-479 BCE • Believe he was setting the values of the people • Moral, uprightness, social order, and family responsibility • Solely focused on everyday concerns, not the universe, god or the afterlife • Rulers and teachers are the models for society • Virtuous, moral • Against the idea that some men were superior to others • Believed nobility should be determined by qualities, not birth • Official philosophy during Han Dynasty • Teachings are written in his Analects • Complied by his students/may be adapted • Used to be part of Chinese Civil Service exam books (unit 1905) • Seen as a preservation of traditional Chinese thought

  9. Legalism • Han Feizi (280-233 BCE) • Developed during the Warring times—is a response to constant warfare • Political theory of autocratic, centralized rule that emphasized strict penalties • Humans would rather do wrong because they are motived by self-interest • Control human impulse to deal with Chaos • Official philosophy during Qin Dynasty • All others banned as corrupting influences • Especially Confucianism because of idea that humans are basically good • Resulted in loss of life and culture • Burned books • Writers, philosophers and teachers were executed

  10. Daoism • Laozi (6th century BCE) • Official religion of Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE) • Philosophy of universal harmony that urged people to not get involved with “worldly” affairs • “The Way” • Ultimate truth to the Universe • Life is generally happy • Live with balance and virtue • Minor philosophy/Religion until 100 CE • Faced competition with Buddhism to gain converts

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