•Mountains & Deserts in the north & west & Pacific in the east isolated China from outsiders

•Ethnocentrism-China was the center of the world

•All foreigners were Barbarians

•Lacked interest in foreign cultures

Founded by Confucius 6th Century B.C.

Texts – Analects/ writings of Confucius

•Filial Piety Respect for elders

•5 relationships Father/son, Ruler/subject, husband/wife, older brother/ younger brother, friend/friend

Founded by Lao-tzu 3rd century BC

•Tao- “The Way” of the universe

•Live in Harmony with nature

•Balance between Ying & Yang

•Rejected government

•Highly powerful government is the key to social order

•Punishment for offenses should be severe

Siddartha Gautama5th Century BC

•Eightfold Path, ethical behavior & good deeds (Meditation)

•Ultimate goal is Nirvana

•Rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties

•Mandate of Heaven- Rule by divine right.

•210BC-220 AD

•Legalism/confucianism

•Centralized government

•Civil Service Exam

•221BC-210BC

•Legalism/ unified China

•Shi Huangdi

•Burned rival books/regulated coinage

•Unified Great Wall of China

•618-907 AD

•Revived Confucianism

•Expanded Trade (Silk Road) connected china to the Middle East