Karim Saemdahr

July 6, 2016
A.P World History
Chapter 4-10 Notes

Chapter 4:
Philosophical Remedies for the Prolonged Crisis of the Later Zhou:
-The continuing disorder marking the decline of the Zhou dynasty prompted debate
over appropriate remedies.
-The warfare awarded societal value to military skills and expressed the worth of the
shi.
-Aristocratic power grew while the shi fell to small unimportant occupations.
-Rituals and court fundamentals were replaced by rough nomadic manners.
-states experiencing warfare, resources and public works, including dikes and
canals, were ruined.
-Peasants were taxed heavily and forced into the military.
-The need for military materials stimulated commerce, helping the growth of a
beneficial merchant class with an important role in society.
-By the end of the Zhou period China supported larger urban centers than any other
civilization.

Confucius and the Restoration of the Shi:

-By the 5th century B.C.E. Confucius brainstormed ways to create a stable society
and political structure.
-Confucius, a member of a poor shi family, became a traveling teacher whos
beneficial ideas attracted followers.

-He was a social philosopher with the mindset needed to reestablish order and
harmony in China; he thought that achieving order depended upon rulers accepting
the advice of superior men - women were excluded
-Men recruited from the shi, gained wisdom through education and, in principle,
could be from any social class.
- Confucius believed that social harmony was also earned and maintained via
everyone fulfilling their tasks and accepting their social class.

The Confucian Gentleman:

-Confucius thought that the superior man defended his choices against all
opposition.
-Rulers should receive respect and submission, but the shi should criticize them for
neglecting their subjects welfare.
-The shi gentleman preformed his tasks accordingly and accomplished them equally
in public and in private life . With such men, said Confucius, China would be
peaceful and organized.