Recap:Two different viewsConfucian outlook: The social stage is the whole world.Daoist approach: The social stage is part of the living world.Unification of Qin and consolidation of Han-Emergence of theCentralized State for the EmpireContextual Reference-The changing scene:a) The Reform (356-350BC)Strengthened powers of Qin state.-Legalist advisor: Lord Shang (390-338 BC):b) How does the center rule regions?Rise of the Qin State-The change in the power relation:The state over the family against the Confucius notion:-Advocate war as a means to strengthen powers of the ruler:-State laws define responsibilities for all members except the rulerThe First Emperor (259-210BC)The Qin Empire (221BC-206BC)-Construction of a centralized administration:Foster a bureaucratic structure:Divide the country into provinces:Country magistrates were appointed, salaried and subject to recall:Create a new elite dependent upon the ruler:-Legalist practice:Loyalty to the state above the family ties;Repression of Confucian scholars:Achievements of the Qin Empire-Build highways, canals and connect city walls:A total over 4,000 miles of highway:-Standardize writing and measurements-CurrencyConfucian outlookPeasants uprising (209-206BC)-The ruthless rule of the state:Exaction of resources and strict laws:-Peasants revolt:Leaders: Chen Sheng and Wu Guang:Personal Experience of the suffering:Initially 900 people, over 10 thousandsThey established political power in todays Henan:The impact-A profound effect of the downfall:The Qin rule was too harsh.Terror and strength alone could not rule the world for long (CP 60/227)-“Fault of Qin” by Jia Yi (201-169BC)How did he describe the first emperor if Qin Empire?The critique of “Fault of Qin”-How did he describe peasant leaders?Farm-hands led the uprising to challenge the emperor (CP 62/230)Men of courage wrecked the Qin Empire which was both powerful and strong (IBID.,230)-What are key reasons for the Qin Empire to fall?1) Rulers lack humaneness and rightness (IBID.,230)2) Preserving power differs from seizing power (IBID., 230)3) Repressing diverse opinions is counter-productiveThe Han Dynasty (202 BC-220AD)-The lesson learned from the fall of Qin:The need of a state orthodoxy to consolidate the state legitimacy:a) The legalist- Confucians amalgam with bureaucratic control:Staff the office with Confucian literati:The emphasis of hierarchical principle on duties (CP58/68)b) Construction of institutional statecraftLiterati convinced the monarch that they were indispensable to legitimize imperial powers and make the social structure work(CP 57/67):Confucian scholars Canonization of Confucian thought-The imperial academy (124BC)-Confucian classics became the orthodox scripture:Internal changes within the Confucian school:a) Systematic:b) Conservative:Limits of criticism against power brokersThe change in the large picture the Canonization of Confucian thought rendered other thought system
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