
An Introduction to Confucianism for AP World History
Sep 27, 2023
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Religion shapes the daily lives of individuals, but it also shapes the events of history. If you are going to understand the events of world history, then you need to know about the world religions. This page will teach you the basics of Confucianism for AP World History. Click through the slides to read about Confucianism. At the end, there is a short video to watch too!
Confucius
Confucius lived in China from 551 to 479 BCE. This is around the same time that Siddhartha Gautama lived in Nepal.
Confucius was a teacher and political advisor in China during the later years of the Zhou Dynasty. It was an unpredictable and violent time. Confucius taught about how to restore social and political order.
Confucianism is more of a philosophy than a religion because it doesn’t deal with salvation or an afterlife.
Confucius’ followers wrote down his teachings in books called the Analects.
5 Fundamental Relationships in Confucianism
ruler and subject
parent and child
husband and wife
older sibling and younger sibling
friend and friend
Confucianists believe that society is orderly and predictable when people live up to their obligations within these relationships.
Big Ideas About Confucianism
Confucianism was an ethical, social, and political belief system.
Since Confucianism was not a religion, people could practice Confucianism and other religions.
Governments liked Confucianism because it created an orderly society.
Communities in China became very tight-knit because community members had responsibilities to many others within the community from their birth until they died.
Confucianism impacted the culture of other countries less than in China.
World Religions
Unit 1:The Global Tapestry
AP World History
