Legalism facts for kids
Legalism was an important way of thinking in ancient China. It was one of the main philosophies during the Warring States Period (about 475 to 221 BCE). This idea suggested that people needed strong rules and a powerful government. The government's job was to keep everyone in line.
This philosophy became very important for the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). The Qin dynasty united China. However, it was also known for being very strict and controlling.
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Who Were the Main Legalist Thinkers?
Legalism had several important thinkers. They helped shape these ideas.
- Han Feizi (around 280–233 BCE): He was a major supporter. He brought together many Legalist ideas.
- Shang Yang (around 390–338 BCE): He was famous for making big changes in the Qin state.
- Li Si (around 280–208 BCE): He helped put Legalist rules into practice during the Qin dynasty.
What Were Legalism's Main Ideas?
Legalism had a few core beliefs. These ideas guided how the government should work.
- Rule by Law: Legalists believed in very strict laws. They thought clear punishments were needed to keep society orderly.
- Power (Shi): The ruler's power had to be absolute. No one should be able to challenge the ruler's authority.
- Technique (Shu): Rulers should use clever methods to stay in control. This could include tactics to manage officials and the public.
- Rewards and Punishments: People would follow the rules if there were clear rewards for good behavior. There also had to be harsh punishments for breaking the rules.
How Legalism Shaped the Qin Dynasty
The Qin dynasty, started by Qin Shi Huang, is the best example of Legalism in action. Qin Shi Huang used many Legalist ideas to rule his empire.
- Making Things Standard: He made sure that weights, measures, money, and writing were the same everywhere. This made it much easier to trade and communicate across the whole empire.
- Big Building Projects: He started huge construction projects. These included parts of the Great Wall of China and a large network of roads and canals. These projects needed many workers. They showed how powerful the central government was.
- Strict Rules and Punishments: He made sure laws were very strict. Even small mistakes could lead to severe punishments. This created a feeling of fear and made people obey.
- Burning Books: To control what people thought, he ordered many books to be burned. Only books about farming, medicine, and fortune-telling were saved. This was a strong way to stop people from having different ideas.
The Qin dynasty did not last very long. It only lasted for about 15 years. The very strict rules of Legalism made many people angry. People rebelled against the harsh government, and the dynasty fell apart.
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See also
In Spanish: Legalismo para niños
