Qin Shihuangdi

I. Early Years A. He was named ruler at the young age of 13 after his father died. B. At the age of 22, he took full control of China and wanted to take control over all of the seven Chinese states.

II.

Significant Events A. Qin Shi Huangdi had many public work plans, such as building the Great Wall of China and the Lingqu canal which transported water from North to South. B. Qin Shi Huang had his men build him a tomb to protect him from evil spirits. It is called a mausoleum.

III.

Personal Attributes (characteristics) A. Qin Shi Huang was a strong and skilled leader for China; he had plans for ruling China and had ideas to benefit China too. B. Emperor Qin Shi Huang was also self-centered because he wanted everything to be about himself and about the government. He did not like religion and he wanted history to start with him and be the most important person.

IV.

Contributions A. After taking over the four states of China, he had unified China. He did it by having wars but China was then one country. B. He also had the Imperial Seal which was passed down from emperor to emperor for generations to come and it stood for the Mandate of Heaven.

V.

My Impressions

A. I believe that he was kind of conceited for trying to make everything about him and only wanting himself to live forever. B. I also think that he was a skilled leader because he unified all of China.

King Wu and the Zhou Dynasty

I. Early Years A. King Wu was the second son to King Wen, and his original name of birth was Ji. B. A few years after King Wu became ruler he conquered the Shang Dynasty and made the kingdom known as the Zhou Dynasty.

II.

Significant Events A. The Zhou Dynasty was the longest lasting dynasty and also the highest point of Chinese civilization. B. King Wu overthrew the last king of the Shang dynasty, taking control of those people.

III.

Personal Attributes (characteristics) A. After reading a book that past kings had, he gained a lot of wisdom and had a greater respect for the other kings. B. He was a giving and thoughtful ruler because he just wanted to find new ways that would help the dynasty last a longer time.

IV.

Contributions A. After 12 years of rule, King Wu started the Zhou Dynasty. B. During that time, two philosophies became more common within the people, they were Confucianism and Daoism.

V.

My Impressions A. I think that King Wu was a great leader because of all the respect he had for past kings and his country. B. I also think he was nice because of how he just wanted his empire to last for a long time.

Confucius
I. Early Years A. His dad, Kong He, died when Confucius was 3 years old so he was raised by his mother. B. Confucius was born in Zou Lu

II.

Significant Events A. Confucius spread his teachings and beliefs with his students (disciples). B. Confucius ideas are still known because his students passed down his ideas from generation to generation.

III.

Personal Attributes (characteristics) A. Confucius was a smart man and he made sure the things he learned he would share with others. B. Confucius was looked up to because the ideas that he taught his disciples inspired them so much that they made sure to pass on his teachings.

IV.

Contributions A. Confucius was the creator of Confucianism. B. He made Confucianism, which is one of the three main Chinese philosophies.

V.

My Impressions A. I think he was smart and nice because he wanted to pass on his ideas to his disciples. B. He was a good philosopher because of all the knowledge he had and how he taught it to all of his disciples.

Laozi
I. Early Years A. Laozi was born in Ku country in the state of Chu. B. Laozi is said to have been taught by Confucius at one point in his young life.

II.

Significant Events A. Laozi is known for his book, Doadejing, which had philosophical and religious ways. B. Taoism/Daoism was a philosophy that was founded by Laozi.

III.

Personal Attributes (characteristics) A. Laozi was a philosopher. B. His name means old master translated in English.

IV.

Contributions A. Laozi created Daoism/Taoism, one of the three major Chinese philosophies. B. He wrote the Daodejing which was a book that had religious and philosophical ideas.

V.

My Impressions A. I believe he was smart because he made one of the three Chinese philosophies. B. I believe he was well educated and was a good philosopher because he made a book of religious and philosophical ideas and taught these ideas to other people.

Hanfeizi
I. Early Years A. Hanfeizi was born in 280 BC in the state of Han and he died in 233 BC in the state of Qin by committing suicide by poisoning himself. B. He was born a prince but he studied philosophy with philosopher Xun Kuang.

II.

Significant Events A. He made his reputation because of his amazing writing he wrote before he died. B. He made the doctrine of Legalism with other philosophers.

III.

Personal Attributes (characteristics) A. Hanfeizi was a Chinese philosopher. B. He was born into a ruling family during the end of the warring states period.

IV.

Contributions A. Hanfeizi created the philosophy of Legalism. B. He made a total of about 55 books that were about his philosophy of Legalism.

V.

My Impressions A. I believe Hanfeizi is a very smart philosopher because he created Legalism. B. I also think he was talented because his reputation was made up of his writing skills and he made 55 books about his philosophy.