Download Classical China Terms – Feel free to add images Shi Huangdi The

Classical China Terms – Feel free to add images
Shi Huangdi
The warrior who dethroned the Zhou dynasty from power in about 201 B.C.E.
and within 35 years made himself the sole ruler of China. Was a brutal leader,
but effective given the circumstances of internal -mostly political- disorder. He
took control of the feudal estates ruled by the aristocrats. Appointed governors
to rule the large provinces.
Qin
Imperial dynasty that brought to an end the centuries of strife.
Han
Dynasty that ruled China for every 400 years. Saw the consolidation of the
Chinese civilization. Rounded out China’s basic political and intellectual
structure. Although followed the centralized-style government that the Qin
used, sought to reduce the brutal repression.
Zhou
Dynasty that lasted from 1029 to 258 B.C.E. Extended the Chinese territory all
the way to the Yangtze River valley. Promoted linguistic unity, beginning the
process by which the mandarin Chinese would prevail all over the Middle
Kingdom.
Great Wall
Built by Shi Huangdi, it extended over 3000 miles, wide enough for chariots to
move along its crest. It was meant to guard the territory against outside
invasions and to protect his own expansionist drives.
Daoism
Religious philosophy. It arose roughly at the same time Confucianism did.
Embraced traditional Chinese beliefs in nature’s harmony and aaded a sense of
nature’s mystery.
Confucianism
Confucianism is an ancient Chinese philosophy taught by a scholar named
Confucius. During his time, china was going through political and social
instability, and he believed that it was because of the breakdown of China’s
social foundation. Confucius’ ideas were not well accepted at the beginning, so
he spent most of his life teaching. Although he did not leave books with his
teachings, his students recorded them and made the Analects, which describe
his philosophy. Confucius’ teachings included arguments about the filial piety,
propriety, ideal government and the superior men.
Legalism
Alternate system of political thought, during the Qin and Han periods. Disdained
confucian virtues in favor of an authoritarian state that ruled by force. Human
nature was evil and required restraint and discipline. The army would control
and the people would labor.
During Shi Huangdi time, he took power away from the aristocrats that ruled
over the feudal states, and appointed the bureaucrats to rule the new provinces.
They exercised military and legal powers in the name of the emperor.
Bureaucracy