Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Chapter 9, Lesson 2, The Age of Confucius (pp. 270-274)
I. An Age of Change
B. The heads of the strongest feudal states became the true rulers of China,
and it was a time of chaos.
C. During this period of unrest, a number of great thinkers sought ways to
put Chinese society back in order. Confucius was one of these great thinkers.
II. Confucius the Teacher
B. Confucius taught that sincerity, loyalty, and mutual respect should be
the center of all relationships, and that obedience to one's parents was vital.
C. Confucius taught that rulers should rule by good example, and act like
a father to his people.
D. Mencius spread the ideas of Confucianism.
III. Opponents of Confucianism
B. Legalists believed people were naturally bad and required a government
of strict laws and harsh punishments to keep their evil under control.
C. Daoists believed human nature was neither good nor bad, and that
people should live a simple and thoughtful life in harmony with nature.
Lesson at a Glance Outline
A. Independent lords invaded the Zhou capital, driving the Zhou rulers out.
A. Confucianism, a code of behavior, has influenced Chinese thought for
over 2,500 years.
A. Moists believed in equal love for all people, and that such universal
love would bring benefits, such as peace.
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