RELIGION AND CULTURE OF THE HANMs. Carmelitano

LEGALISM

The governmental philosophy during the Warring States Period and Qin Dynasty Based on the idea that humans are evil and harsh

punishments are needed to prevent crime and keep order in society

The head of the state commanded respect and obedience of the people

The country comes first not the individual

CONFUCIANISM

Founder: Confucius (King Fuzi): Born 552 BCE, died 479 BCE Teacher Founded Confucianism in 500 BCE Preached ideas of political virtue and good

government

CONFUCIANISM

Core Beliefs: Filial Piety: The idea that people must honor and respect

elders of their family The Five Relationships (Everyone has a role to follow in

society) Subjects must obey their ruler Wives must obey their husbands Children must obey their parents Younger brother must obey older brother Friends should help one another

Superior classes must practice modesty without excess Everyone should follow this code of politeness

ROLE ON GOVERNMENT

The Han Dynasty made Confucianism the official ideology of the state

Confucianism lead to the success of the empire Wudi created 18 different ranks of civil service jobs

Government jobs that civilians attained by taking examinations to ensure they were capable for the job

The exams tested applicants knowledge of Confucianism and its teachings

Wudi set up schools to teach Confucian ideals to future bureaucrats

TAOISM/ DAOISM

Chinese religion stressed the importance of a harmonious earthly life and the balance between the earth and heaven

Key elements: Belief in nature’s harmony and sense of nature’s mystery Nature contains a divine impulse that directs all life Dao – the way of nature

Founder: Laozi/Lao-Tsu

YIN/YANG

The symbol of Daoism Represents the world as being filled with

complimentary forces Action and non-action Light and dark Hot and cold Male and female

Includes many deities that are worshipped No omniscient god who created the universe In order to keep balance, followers practiced mediation and

feng shui

TECHNOLOGY

Paper 105 AD Before books were written on silk Paper made books cheaper and more readily available This helped to spread education and expand bureaucracy

Collar harness for horses Allowed horses to pull heavier loads than European harnesses

Plow Plow had 2 blades and was made of iron Wheel barrow and water mills

PAPER MAKING

COMMERCE OF THE HAN

Monopolies on mining of salt, forging of iron, minting of coins, and brewing of alcohol Monopoly, when a group has excusive control over

production and distribution of goods The Han also had a monopoly on Silk Production

The government owned the silk mills It was traded on the Silk Roads

THE SILK ROADS

WOMEN

Most were wives and nuns, some were scholars Poor women worked in the fields