The main theme that entangles itself in all of the source material is the idea of how governments should be run in such a powerful empire, such as Imperial Rome and the Han Dynasty. Starting with the first source, it is evident that the first Qin emperor believed that only the orthodox teachings should be tolerated, which meant that the works of the Five Classics and its teachings were to be extinguished. The next primary source serves as a supplement to explaining the fall of the Qin dynasty due to its warring ideas and Jia Yi argues that if Confucius teachings were implemented then the dynasty would have still been intact. The third source explains how the Qin dynasty was unjust in its equal appropriation of punishment against criminals regardless of motives or social class. Essentially, Dong Zhongshu believed that a dynasty could not be successful if it failed to establish a fair and righteous justice system for its citizens.
The Han Dynasty is predominantly concerned with laws and education when trying to regulate their citizens. They use Legalist and Confucius teachings as a baseline for how they rule. Furthermore, emperor Han Wudi created the Confucian Education System to teach future government officials discipline and loyalty to elders, especially the emperor. This lowered the chance that bureaucrats would betray them. While men doing government services were disciplined, the government used strict laws and their military to maintain order in the community.
Han Feizi Mia Valenzuela Han Feizi also known as Han Fei began the teachings of Legalism during 200 B.C. His main idea was to make a system of strict punishments and harsh laws. He taught that humans were naturally made evil. He also believed that the government needed to issue harsh laws and stiff punishments to force them to do their duty. Han Feizi lived from 280 B.C. through 233 B.C., he had died from committing suicide.
Regarding the four Chinese philosophers: Legalism, Daosim, Confucianism, and Buddishm. There are multiple similarities and differences between them all regarding how a state should mainly be ruled. Confucianism is a value system based on social order and obedience. Daoism was a religion of world peace that warned its believers against dealing too much in issues. Legalism wants organized, totalitarian rules and hard punishments against their community.
Similarly to his father, Hu Hai also practiced legalism, which thrived on severe punishments and strict order and laws. Some of the corporal punishments implemented by the Qin dynasty, included death by boiling, chariots, beating, and permanent mutilation in the form of tattooing and castration. Furthermore, People who committed crimes were also sentenced to hard labor for the state. Consequently, these barbaric punishment caused an uprising led by peasants, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang("Qin Dynasty"). Therefore, to correctly manage the people of your empire, do not practice legalism, because as history show it only results in civilian
Legalism was important as it reassured power into the ruler’s hands, forcing people to follow strict legal codes making them obedient to the ruler. This led Lord Yang to abolish the previous landowning mechanism of aristocracy and replaced it with centralised bureaucracy, whereby members were appointed and dismissed on military merit. The Qin developed a bureaucratic office and rank whereby they could control each and every aspect of people’s lives. The Qin Empire under these reforms was divided into 36 provinces with 2 government officials in charge of each province.
In the Qin Empire, the practice of legalism reached its peak in Chinese history. This idea of state policy was brought by Shang Yang who came to Qin as a foreign advisor. Of the many Chinese states, Qin had the advantage of a favorable location: Its territory in Shaanxi province is
However, for legalism it was made to control people's actions also like Confucianism but the society was forced to believe in it and the people of china hated
His teachings aimed to maintain peace and order within the Chinese government. According to these teachings, the best rulers were those who ruled the least. Those who followed Legalism believed that most people are naturally selfish. Left to themselves, Legalists
Legalism was a very totalitarian system of government in which the ruler had absolute power over his peoples. In theory, of course there were rewards for those who carried out their duties well. However, in practice, legalists stressed punishment more. Shang Yang was a supporter of Legalism, who believed in forcing citizens to report lawbreakers. He went so far as to say that those who did not report lawbreakers ought to be executed!Legalists abhorred complaints or questions about the government and its policies, and enjoyed arresting those who did complain or question, even burning books with opposing philosophies, if the need arose.
Some argue that this approach can be oppressive and stifling to individual freedom. However, others argue that legalism was necessary in ancient China to maintain order in a time of great turmoil and strife. One of the most significant aspects of legalism is its emphasis on the importance of a strong and centralized government. Legalists believed that a strong government was necessary to enforce laws impartially and to administer punishments fairly.
The laws stand as a basic understanding of right from wrong and allowed civilizations to keep the most peace among their people as they
This responsibility to the law was also pushed onto households ethics. If any member of your family had disobeyed the law it was your duty to turn them into the government. Unlike Legalism, Confucianism understood the value of family and it’s priority over
There were Chinese Philosophies. According to Document B there were 3 philosophies which were Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. They all had their beliefs and thoughts about life. Confucianism was founded by Confucius and the rules were respect you elders, education is very important, and rule by example. Legalism was founded by Han Feizi and the rules were people can’t be trusted, strict government and laws, harsh punishments, and no book no worship.
However, ancient Chinese beliefs changed from Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. Finally, every civilization requires laws and rules. While Egypt incorporated judges and pharoah’s to enforce laws, China relied on a family hierarchy known as Filial
