The Effect of Belief Systems in China from 500bce to 500ce

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Some might say the influence of legalism influenced a government that was unified with its citizens because a government run on laws was more effective than by moral force. Legalism had opposite views from Confucianism. Legalists believed that a strong government depended not only on the moral qualities of the ruler and his officials, as Confucian claimed but on establishing effective laws and procedures (McKay 109). Laws can be seen as an effective way for the emperor to run a government, but from the Ancient Chinese history, Confucianism and Daoism beliefs can be seen to have far greater impacts on the unity between the government and its citizens than legalism.

So although Legalism did provide some unity between the government and the people, it was not as effective as Confucianism or Daoism because it took complete power away from the emperor and replaced it with moral laws. The little effect of legalism on the government can be seen in the Qin Dynasty, 221 BCE to 206 BCE, which ran by legalistic ideas. At that time, Legalism reached its peak in Chinese History. However, the Qin dynasty only lasted 15 years showing that a government run by moral laws does not provide unity among its citizens (McKay 110). As the ideas of legalism held too strong power on how the society functioned. If forced citizens to follow laws, which created conflicts. As Confucius wrote, “Keep order among them by chastisements, and they will flee from you (Confucius 139). Which is what the ideas of legalism portrayed. This creates tension among the citizens and an un-unified government. This is why the importance of the philosophies written by Confucius and Laozi had a greater impact on the outcome of the way the society functioned. Allowing a longer lasting, more stable government that was unified with its citizens.

As can be seen, Confucianism, Daoism, and the Mandate of Heaven, were the strong impacts on the Ancient Chinese society that created a strong government that was unified with its people. The morals introduced by these three beliefs were important and impacted all citizens of Ancient China. They allowed a monarchical government to function stably. Even allowing the lowest class citizens to accept this monarchy to help the community as a whole. In all, aspects of these three different beliefs can still be applied and seen throughout the world today.

Works Cited:

- "Confucianism Beliefs During the Chinese Han Dynasty." Totally History Confucianism Comments. Totally History, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

- Confucius. "The Analects." Worlds of History: A Comparative Reader, Volume One: To 1550. Ed. Kevin Reilly. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010.

- Cristian Violatti. “Confucianism,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified August 31, 2013.

- Laozi. "Taoism: The Classic of the Way and the Power." Worlds of History: A Comparative Reader, Volume One: To 1550. Ed. Kevin Reilly. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010.

- McKay, John et al. A History of World Societies; Volume 1: To 1600. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015.