Question

The Rise Of Ancient China

please write a expository essay of at least 750 words to answer the question(s) below. Avoid using Wikipedia, dictionaries, encyclopedias or casual websites as sources.

1. What were some of the social, political, and technical innovations developed by the Chinese people under the Zhou Dynasty?
2. What philosophical systems emerged to challenge Confucianism? Why did each develop and gain influence? What contributions did each make to an expanding Chinese worldview?

Answer 1

The concept of the Mandate of Heaven was developed during the Zhou dynasty, which gave a ruler the right to rule because they were wanted by the gods. Writing was also further created during this moment, and then any other written language of the ancient world had the wealthiest vocabulary and conceptual refinement. During the Zhou Dynasty, metal work (primarily bronze) was refined, their works exhibit technical excellence and artistic grace.

In the early centuries of the Eastern Zhou era, the armies fought against each other by the states were based on chariots, manned by warrior-aristocrats who fought under commonly recognized war regulations. However, as populations rose later, the economy expanded and countries became bigger, better organized and more powerful (see below), it was now possible to maintain permanent armies. This greatly contributed to the militarization of the states during this period

In specific, the "Warring States" era was a moment when wars of growing intensity were fought among ever-larger armies, leading to the annihilation of states and their governing houses. It is not surprising that the era saw significant developments in both military strategy and technology. One of the world's classics of military literature, Sunzu's The Art of War emerged at this moment (although traditionally dated some time ago) and the cross-bow, one of the most significant developments in firearms military technology

The more successful princes altered their way of governing their territories–or countries, as we should call them now–to attain war success. They needed to increase and retain big numbers of soldiers to make their military strength more efficient–who naturally required payment. This in turn needed regular and effective collection of taxes.

The introduction of cast-iron agricultural instruments significantly improved the soil's productivity and served as a further stimulus for population growth. Towns and towns grew in both size and number, although very little has survived from this era since houses were mainly made of timber. Within these cities ' walls, the density of populations was much greater than in Shang times.

All of these innovations have encouraged social mobility. Peasants were able to more readily purchase and sell their land, resulting in more productive farms. New cities have emerged around the markets. The class of merchants grew as the economy expanded. Some merchants accumulated big fortunes and were able to invest their wealth in property, thus joining the class of landowners. With distinct social classes growing up between the farmers on the one side and the nobility on the other, Chinese society became much more fluid.

Daoism was Laozi's product, challenging Confucius ' faith. Daoism has evolved into a more passive and nature-centered way. Daoism became more influential because it was more ready for private interpretation that permitted analphabets to follow. Confucius developed with practical concern and focused on the hierarchy of individuals ' ethical and political relationships. It gained influence by being the model for government and enforced by an administrative group.

Confucius was usually worried about the leadership class and their ethical and intellectual culture. Confucius also wished to reconsider concepts of status, class, and hierarchy in culture as a small aristocrat himself.

The texts taught by Confucius were already old in the time of Confucius. Confucius ' respect for them is completely in line with his filial piety philosophy— respect for your relatives or elders. Confucianism thus constitutes a philosophy of regard for the past and its traditions. For many years, many of the concepts ascribed to Confucius were probably already in circulation in Chinese society.

Confucianism underlined the idea that if they followed moral instruction and performed rituals that venerated the gods and honored the ancestral dead, people could be made good. The Confucianists thought in a moment of social upheaval and war that only cautious maintenance of the ancient traditions could maintain the unity of society.

Many Chinese leaders drew on the concepts of Confucianism. For instance, Han's Emperor Wu promoted hierarchical social structures based on Confucian values that he thought would bring about higher social harmony across Chinese society.

The reason Confucianism was favored and even adopted during the feudal society as an orthodox system of thought was primarily due to its emphasis on class differences and obedience to one's superior, satisfying the governing class ' needs and wishes. He stressed that everyone should have a position in society: the emperor should handle the state well, representatives should be faithful to the emperor, a child should follow his dad, and a wife should obey her husband, etc. One might have distinct roles to perform on separate occasions, so he should behave appropriately and correctly. This would keep the entire community very stable.