Chapter 5 Values-Eurasian Cultural Traditions

Arya Rawal

Miss Haselton

AP World History - Period 6

17 September 2015

Chapter 5 IDs - Eurasian Cultural Traditions

Thesis Statement:

1. Legalism: After the fall of the Zhou Dynasty in 500 B.C.E., the Chinese civilization fell into a state of chaos. To end the period of disunity, a way of thinking called Legalism was advocated. According to Legalism, the state would remain peaceful and united if rulers enforced strict rules with rewards for following, and brutal punishments if laws were broken. Han Fei, a Chinese philosopher, promoted Legalist ideas. Due to the harshness of this philosophy, it was not a sustainable form of governing. (Political, Cultural)

2. Confucianism/Confucius: Born in 555 B.C.E. in Northern Lu, Confucius was a Chinese

Buddhism (Theravada/Mahayana): In India, Buddhism divided itself into two distinct sects. One sect was called Theravada, in which adherents viewed Buddha not as a divine figure, but as a scholar, and their teacher. Because Buddhism did not center around a god, it was seen more as certain practices than religious beliefs. A newer form of Buddhism, known as Mahayana. formed in 100 B.C.E., as a separate faction from Theravada. In Mahayana, Buddha was thought to be godly, and supernatural beings gradually made their way into the religion. Salvation could be achieved by not only releasing desire, but through support of Buddhist monasteries, moral behavior, and loyalty to the faith. (Cultural)

10. Bhagavad Gita: The Bhagavad Gita was an important text of Hinduism, containing a series of epic poems. It recalls the dilemma Arjuna, a herioc man, must face as he is instructed to kill his fellow warriors. Lord Krishna reassures him that his action is necessary in order to prove his devotion to god, and allow his freedom from endless reincarnation. The Bhagavad Gita opened attaining salvation from god to all people, not just the priests and brahmins. This led to the sudden popularity of Hinduism throughout India. (Social,

Zoroastrianism: Zoroastrianism began in Persia around the sixth or seventh century B.C.E. during the height of the Persian Empire. It later spread to parts of the world like Anatolia, Egypt, and the Fertile Crescent. Adherents believed in a single god named Ahura Mazda, who single-handedly created the world, beginning monotheism. This was a revolutionary idea, as most religions at the time were polytheistic. Zoroastrianism saw its decline around the Seleucid Dynasty which started in 330 B.C.E. Alexander the Great’s conquest of Persia destroyed many of this religion’s sacred temples and texts. Because Zoroastrianism was the first religion to introduce belief in a single god, it greatly influenced two major world religions today - Christianity and Islam. (Political, Interaction,