Chinese Dynasties Were Profoundly Affected by Ancient Chinese Philosophies

One key idea in Chinese history was the Mandate of Heaven. The Chinese believed that heaven granted a ruler the mandate, or right, to rule. The people, in turn, owed the ruler complete loyalty and obedience. The majority of Chinese rulers came to power using this mandate. The way such rulers ruled, was dependent somewhat on Chinese philosophies. A ruler would rule using one or more of the Chinese philosophies as a guide. Following these philosophies, rulers made certain decisions that affected their entire kingdom, and sometimes threatened their authority. Realizing this idea could only lead to the conclusion, that throughout the history of China, a plethora of dynasties have been tremendously influenced by the teachings of Confucius, and legalism.
The Shang dynasty is the first known Chinese civilization. Under the Shang dynasty, Chinese civilization took shape. Shang rulers came to power through the Mandate of Heaven. The teachings of Confucius had a profound impact on Shang civilization. According to Confucius, the ruler who received the mandate was obligated to provide a good government for his subjects. The ruler’s subjects, in turn, owed the ruler loyalty and obedience. The relationship between the superior and inferior was greatly emphasized in Shang culture; it was the way life was for the Shang. To a legalist, only harsh laws imposed by a strong ruler would ensure order in society. The Shang Dynasty was ruled by a single ruler, whom had received the mandate and claimed power. Shang rulers often imposed harsh laws and strict rules in order the control their people and to maintain order in society; the Shang rulers were ruthless toward their people. This system of rule follows legalist principles and ideas almost exactly. Legalists believed in one ruler and harsh laws used to control the people. The Chinese philosophy of legalism and the teachings of Confucius evidently had a tremendous effect on the system of rule that the Shang followed.
By 221 B.C., the ruler of the state of Qin had conquered his neighbors and overthrown the Zhou dynasty. The Qin ruler then took the name Shi Huangdi, or “First Emperor.” Shi Huangdi believed in legalist principles, and used harsh measures to centralize power in his own hands. To unite the empire, Shi Huangdi imposed several measures; some of which were a single law code, uniform standards for weights and measures, and currency regulations. Shi Huangdi clearly imposed these measures to control the people and maintain power. This concept follows Legalist principles extremely accurately. Shi Huangdi was so content on maintaining order in society and his power, that he banned all books except legalist works, and he persecuted Confucian scholars. In fact, Qin officials even collected and burned books of Confucian teachings. The First Emperor’s legalist ways eventually led to the downfall of the dynasty. After Shi Huangdi died, revolts broke out because of the strict law that the people refused to continue following. The Han dynasty then stepped up and took over the weakened dynasty. It is clear that legalist ideas have had an immense impact on many of the events throughout time that occurred under the rule of the Qin.
The Han dynasty ruled from 202 B.C., to 220 A.D. Under the control of the Han, China expanded across Asia. Powerful emperors used their armies to keep the peace and protect trade. This shows the use of force to maintain peace in society, the same way legalism works. Han rulers continued the First Emperor’s policy of central control, but they restored Confucian learning. The idea of central control is a purely legalist proposition. Under the Han, the Chinese developed the idea of a government run by the most talented and erudite men. The Han introduced Confucian principles in education and civil service. The Chinese set up an examination system to choose civil servants, or government officials. To pass the exam, candidates for office had to know Confucian teachings as well as Chinese law, history, and traditions. The idea of Confucianism helped to unite the vast empire and create for one of the greatest civilizations in Chinese history. In essence, the Han were semi-legalist, taking the side of some Legalist ideas (i.e. the idea of central control, use of force to maintain peace). Although the Han dynasty was significantly affected by legalism, the teachings of Confucius played a major role in the daily life of the Han.
Confucius teachings and legalism have had a profound impact on ancient China and ancient Chinese civilizations. Confucianism and legalism have affected the way that the dynasties have ruled, and taken its toll on the people of those societies. Legalism is a harsh way of ruling, but the 2 of the 3 dynasties mentioned in this paper appeared to manage well under the system for at least 400 years a piece. Confucian teachings also had a weighty impact on the dynasties, as the Han lived by Confucian teachings. History would be remarkably different had legalism and Confucianism not influenced the dynasties as it had. Can you imagine the United States government following perhaps legalist and Confucian ways of life?