Confucianismby Jesse W.
Confucianism helped lead the Han Dynasty (206-220[1]) away from the totalitarian and legalist ideology of the previous regime through its effect on government policies. In the preceding Qin Dynasty (221-206[2]), legalism was the only accepted practice, so much that many copies of the Confucian Analacts were burned, as they offered ideas that contradicted those of the current emperor, Qin Shihuang (259-210 BCE[3]), and his beliefs. [4] It was not until the founding of the Han Dynasty that Confucianism received state support. In 136 BCE, Confucian writings were made the framework of the official education system and Confucianism became sponsored by the State. The emperors of the time surrounded themselves with educated Confucian scholar-officials to advise them, further increasing the philosophy’s influence. The Han Dynasty, under Confucian directions, gave more freedom to the people then the Qin had, and this made the ever-expanding China easier to control, as the people are less likely to rebel if they have freedom. Confucianism focuses not on absolute totalitarian control, but rather on a central bureaucracy favoring wisdom as a predominant quality rather than fear; this philosophy became the accepted belief throughout society, from family to government. Adapting Confucian beliefs helped the Han Dynasty distance itself from the brutal dictatorial government of the Qin. [5]
Image (top left): Confucius-educator. Image. bio. Accessed November 15, 2014. http://cp91279.biography.com/Confucius_Educator_HD_768x432-16x9.jpg. Image (top right): Wall, James Kirk. A Statue of Confucius. Photograph. Chicago Now. June 23, 2013. Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.chicagonow.com/an-agnostic-in-wheaton/files/2013/06/Confucius.jpg. [1] Department of Asian Art. "Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hand/hd_hand.htm (October 2000) [2] Department of Asian Art. "Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/qind/hd_qind.htm (October 2000) [3] ibid. [4] Li S,. Memorial on Annexation of Feudal States and Memorial on the Burning of Books, c. 250 BCE, in Asia for Educators, Columbia University, November 6, 2014, http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/cup/lisi_legalist_memorials.pdf. [5] “The Early Chinese Empire: The Qin and the Han,” Asia for Educators, http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/kpct/kp_qinhan.htm, (November 6, 2014) |