Confucianism

Description
Confucianism began in China by a man named Confucius (Kongfuzi) in 500 B.C.E.
Confucianism is all about social harmony, the five constant relationships and the Dao. The
five relationships are parent and child, husband and wife, older sibling and younger sibling,
older friend and younger friend, and ruler and subject. Three of the relationships are about
family, which shows how important family is to Confucius. The Dao is the idea of humanity in
Confucianism. The teachings of Confucius are recorded in a text called the Analects.

Connections
Confucius travelled all over China and tried to get people to follow his ideas. After his
death, his followers continued to spread his message all over China. Confucianism
connected people all over China since people could all unite and follow the same religion
and helped stop the chaos in China that Confucius had to deal with. It wasnt the only
philosophy to do this though because there was also Daoism and Legalism that tried to end
conflict all over China.

Impact
Confucianism had a huge impact on Chinese history. Until the twentieth century,
almost every Chinese pupil studied Confucianism. As previously stated, Confucianism
brought many people together. Confucianism today is not as practiced as it was back then,
however some people still practice Confucianism in China.

Sources: Learning Journal, Glencoe World History Book pages 95 and 96