FINALS THEME 2 Flashcards
Government, religion, and ideologies (27 cards)
Define feudalism
a hierarchal economic and political system based on the exchange of land and loyalty
Define Mandate of Heaven
the idea that a corrupt or ineffective government would lead to upheaval, such as natural disasters or riots, which meant that the gods were unhappy with the current ruler, and that ruler would be removed from power and replaced
Define dynastic cycle
the cyclical rise and fall of different governing dynasties based on the approval of the gods
Define empire
once independent states brought under a single authority by force
Define stele
upright monuments of stone that Hammurabi recorded his code on in order to communicate his laws with the areas he conquered
What was Han Fei’s approach to government called?
Legalism
What did believers of ‘Legalism’ think was required for an effective government?
The use of many strong laws
What are the “two handles” of Legalism?
Chastisement (punishment) and commendation (rewards)
What ruling system did Confucius use?
Confucianism
What did Confucianism focus on?
Relationships
How did Confucius think things should be run?
Based on virtue, not laws, because in his eyes, laws don’t work, and if rulers are virtuous and kind to the people below them, their subjects will be virtuous too
What type of relationships did Confucianism focus on? Examples?
Unequal relationships
1. Father and son
2. Husband and wife
3. Older and younger brothers
4. Ruler and subject
How did Confucius think people should react to their roles in society?
Accept their roles and the amount of power it gives them, but be respectful
“Superiors” should act with benevolence and concern for their inferiors, and “inferiors” should act with deference and respect to their superiors
Define Daoism.
an ideology based around the teachings of Laozi and in response to people’s dislike of Confucianism
What does Daoism focus on?
harmonized contrast and aligning yourself with the Dao (the way/nature) to achieve spiritual immortality
Define ideology. What is it not?
A system of beliefs or ideas (not a religion)
Define patriarchy
A governmental and social system in which everything is run by men
Define “eye for an eye.” Where did it come from?
People should be punished exactly in the way they hurt someone else, so if you poke out someone’s eye, your eye should be poked out as well
The Code of Hammurabi
What is the Code of Hammurabi?
Hammurabi’s legal code, one of the oldest in the world
What was the goal of the Code of Hammurabi?
Decrease violence and unify the empire
What does the Code of Hammurabi rely heavily on? What was this meant to cause?
Capital punishment/death penalty
Deterrence (people were less likely to commit the crime if they were too scared of the possible punishment)
Define classist
Treating people differently due to their social class/rank in the social hierarchy, so higher-ups (kings, priests, etc.) get better treatment than regular people (peasants, servants, etc.)
Define social hierarchy
A social organization system in which people are ranked in order of power or importance to society (kings at the top, peasants at the bottom), often affecting how people are treated
Define command economy
An economy in which the government makes most (if not all) economic decisions (e.g. prices)
