China

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.