China Flashcards
How did the Chinese justify the removal or overthrow of a dynasty?
Mandate of Heaven. This god gives the emperor the mandate to rule. The longer you do good the longer youll have it.
What were the most important measures in the Qin blueprint for empire?
Social Hierarchy, legalism, humans are inherently evil
Elaborate on the political system of the Han dynasty. How did the Han rulers modify the Qin blueprint, particularly regarding administrative structure and the recruitment and promotion of officials?
The Qin were very strict and followed legalism while the han followed confusicanism and were less strict
What are the 5 Principal Confucian relationships?
Ruler and Subject, Father and Son, Elder Brother and Younger Brother, Husband and Wife, Friend to Friend
Explain the basic principles of Confucian political theory.
The basic theory is Confucius embraced no particular form of government. Leaders must be virtuitous, and he believed strongly in family values.
Definition of the Dao
The way
Explain humanities place in the Dao
Neither above nor below the Dao
Principle of wuwei
the natural state of affairs is brought through wuwei which is effortless action- “being in the zone”
Daoist view on government
Didn’t try to much, went with the flow and let practices take over.
Legalism View of human nature-
Very negative view
3 ways to control society
1) Strict use of uniformly applied punitive laws
2) Group responsibility
3) System of rewards and punishments
Explain the analogy of the athlete in the zone to Daoism.
The closest analogy would be when an athlete is “in the zone.” The actions are not coming from the thinking or calculating area of the mind, but they are being done. Obviously, this is not the same as doing nothing.
1st Chinese Dynasty
Shang
The 2nd
Zhou
3rd
Qin
4th
Han
Explain the reason for the expression on Confucius’s face.
had a sour looking expression because he feels that good nature is in the past
Explain the reason for the expression on Buddha’s face.
had a bitter expression because because there was no peace
World was full of traps
Life is suffering
Explain the reason for the expression on Laozi’s face.
had a sweet expression because Thought there was a strong link between earth and heaven
Thinks life is full of valuable lessons, very optimistic
Who is Liu Bang
First emperor of the Han
Who is Shi Huangdi
First emperor of the Qin
Who is Ban Zhao
Author of Lessons For Women
What are Oracle bones
in ancient China, mainly during the late Shang dynasty. Were used to predict the future
who believed in Ancestor worship
the main shang religion
who is Shang Yang-
major advisor to the Qin ruler, became Prime Minister
what was the Warring States Period
a period in ancient China concluding with the victory of the state of Qin in 221 BC, creating a unified China under the Qin dynasty.
what is The Daodejing
the main religious book for the Dao
what is Xiongnu
were an ancient nomadic people who formed a state or confederation centered on current Mongolia
