Introduction
The ancient Chinese are accountable for several contributions and inventions to the world. Chinese dynasties were hereditary monarchical governments in their early time, and they comprised both those formed by Han and its predecessor and non-Han people. The ancient Chinese dynasties were the Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han. The large populations and areas of ancient China needed a strong central regime. The essay presents an argument on the rulership in the context of early China based on monarchies.
Rulership in the Context of Early China
In the dynastic system, sovereign leaders had absolute power and private ownership of the empire. The Xia dynasty first with uncertain dates and was then followed by the Shang dynasty in 1500-1045 when Zhou conquered the Shang (Yao, 2020). Zhou dynasty reigned from 1045 to 256 and comprised Western Zhou, running from 1045-771. Under it was Songs in Book of Songs 1000-600 (Alive, 2022). Another was Eastern Zhou, who reigned from 770 to 256 under the Spring and Autumn, which runs from 722-481, and Confucius from 551-479 with all the dates being BCE and approximations (Pheng, 2001). The Eastern Zhou and Western Zhou were governed by the House of Ji, collectively known as the Zhou dynasty. Warring states were under the Zhou dynasty, reigning from 480-221 (Dao, 2018). The Qin Dynasty reigned from 221-207 BCE before it was overthrown and replaced (Sanft, 2018). However, the dynasty had a long-lasting cultural effect on the dynasties that came after it.
Sources of a Ruler’s Authority
The failure and success of dynasties were attributed to the morality of the leaders and other tangible factors of monarchical rule, such as clan, Shamanism, writing, art, and wealth. The dynasties claimed their power emanated from The Mandate of Heaven, the divine source of authority and the right to the reign of early Chinese emperors and kings. The idea was applied to hold up the regulations of the emperors of the dynasties (Yao, 2020). It was based on Heaven’s approval and if a ruler was unwise, it could be unsatisfied and could offer the Mandate to overthrow and replace the king. The power of a ruler was bestowed upon the king by the gods’ blessing (Ebrey, 2010). The significant part of Heaven’s Mandate was that the emperor would utilize his power for the benefit of those ruled.
The Zhou dynasty in early China became the first to lay foundational rules of rites comprising court protocol, sacrificial ceremonies, and music. Music and ritual culture had a significant effect on the continuing and development Chinese civilization (Kirby, 2020). Shang and Xia’s dynasties as early noted, had laid the ground for music and ritual rules to support moral and ethical principles and keep social order, creating a complete music and ritual system. Zhou dynasty adhered to the Shang practice of governing through fiefdoms and ensured that most of the feudal lords were of the leading clan. They stood in the rank of being either minor or major descendants of the Zhou king (Fang, 2008). The cultural pattern of music and ritual often presented a harmonious steady appearance.
How Rulers Maintained their Authority
The Chinese people believed that it was Heaven’s Mandate that gave their rulers the power to be emperor or king. It implied that the gods had blessed that individual with the right to lead. An emperor had to be a good person and a fair or just leader to keep Heaven’s Mandate. In addition, the ancient Chinese rulers maintained their dynasties by keeping huge armies to conquer land and protect borders and appointed warlords to oversee the territories of the kingdom (Lazar, 2019). Zhou dynasty provided a way for the Warring States era of Confusion and chaos out of which some basic Chinese philosophies were established.
The Warring States led to the formation of the first unified Chinese state under the leadership of the Qin Dynasty, which was followed by the Han Dynasty. For instance, the Han dynasty was ruled by a centralized monarchy led by a king and supported by an elaborate imperial administration structure. They created a civil service to establish a robust and organized regime (Strayer & Nelson, 2018). Porcelain and paper were invested during this period and they embraced poetry, Confucianism, and literature. However, if a king did not lead with kindness and wisdom, he would be overthrown and replaced immediately (Ng, 2021). Therefore, Kings or emperors employed Confucianism and Daoism to maintain their authority along other factors.
How Kings Legitimate Their Claims to Authority
The kings or emperors had Heaven’s Mandate as the source of their power and the right to rule the region. The divine force or ancient god as Sky or Heaven, had chosen a particular person to rule on its behalf in the universe. A king was seen as a son of Heaven and the autocrat of all under the Sky. For example, the 1644AD, the Qing dynasty succeeded the Ming dynasty to get Heaven’s Mandate (Kirby, 2020). In a similar perspective, during the Sui-Tang dynasty transition, several governments developed by rebel forces strived for legitimacy and control as the authority of the reigning Sui dynasty declined.
Moreover, the dynastic transition in China happened mainly through usurpation and military conquest. The Jin dynasty attained supersession of the Liao dynasty through a sequence of successful military approaches. However, the transition from the Eastern Han to the Cao Wei and the Southern Qi to the Liang dynasty was because of usurpation (Wang et al., 2020). In most cases, usurpers would look for ways of communicating with their predecessors as having handed over the throne gladly as a way of legalizing their rule.
Expectations for Rulership and Those Being Ruled
The rulership of early China had tremendous responsibility and power. The kings were the son of Heaven after being given the divine right to lead over all people. The rulers were the head of the nobility, the royal family, the judiciary, the state, and the religious hierarchy. The ancient kings conducted the most significant religious rituals in their calendar that comprised sacrifices at the sacred river and mountain sites. The emperors believed that they had Heaven’s Mandate, implying a blessing to lead their people. This was given to them by their celestial gods and was only for those rulers who triumphed (Xiao et al., 2022). Hence, the rulership was bound by cultural expectations among its population.
However, they were anticipated to promote their best interest and not theirs. They were expected to lead with kindness and wisdom or else they risk being overthrown and replaced. A ruler was required to be just and good to maintain Heaven’s Mandate (Wang et al., 2020). Those ruled on the other hand had to work to enhance the world and were to give up their concerns on the world and search for inner peace.
Conclusion
Early China was ruled by dynasties such as Zhou, Qin, Han, and Shang. The sources of their authority emanated from Heaven’s Mandate and other factors in the kingdom. The kings or emperors in Chinese dynasties maintained their authority by keeping The Mandate of Heaven. In addition, they were required to use wisdom and kindness, or else they can be overthrown and replaced.
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