The Zhou Dynasty was the last of the three dynasties of the Xia and Shang dynasties and occupies an important place in Chinese history. On the one hand, he was the longest orthodox dynasty of Guozuo, and on the other hand, Chinese culture also underwent major changes during the Zhou Dynasty. From the feudal system to the great unified dynasty of ** centralization, this has cross-era significance. But when did this shift take place?Little attention has been paid to this problem.
The most important change from the feudal system to the centralized system is. The vassal states of the Zhou Dynasty have always had a tradition of carrying on the past and rejuvenating the world. This means that even if the vassal states are wiped out, the destroyer will leave a fief for the exterminated. Coming to worship the vassal states that had been wiped out, this tradition ensured the existence of the feudal system and that it would not be changed.
That is to say, if this tradition disappears, so does the most important foundation of the feudal system. And when did this tradition disappear?It's hard to say, and the reason why it's hard to say is that even the Qin Dynasty, which unified the world, left a patriotic country in the end. So does he have a tradition of carrying on the saints and revitalizing the peerless world?You say he has it, only Wei Guo has this treatment.
The other vassal states were wiped out and turned into counties. You say he didn't, and Weiguo is another good example. So this can be used as evidence, but it is difficult to define. Therefore, I believe that the second observation indicator can be adopted. That is the emergence of the county system, speaking of the county system, this can really be said to be the end of the political system of the feudal system, so it is used as an observation indicator.
Actually, it's very appropriate, when did the county system appear?The first to establish the county system was the state of Chu in the late Spring and Autumn Period, but the king of Chu established the county system not for the purpose of abolishing the feudal system. Rather, it was to suppress the powerful aristocracy in the country and strengthen its own power. Therefore, it can only be said that it is a deteriorated county system, and there is only a county system, and the Chu State has not established a county system.
Therefore, the emergence of the real county system has to talk about the Qin State in the Warring States Period. And the Qin State is also the existence that finally swept the six countries and unified the world. After the establishment of the county system in the Qin state, other countries followed suit. Therefore, it can be said that at the latest in the Warring States Period, the vassal states of the Zhou Dynasty had the idea of unifying the world with the county system. However, this is only with the intention of unifying the world.
But whether to abandon the feudal system and move towards a centralized system is another story. Because even if the county system is implemented, the vassal states that unify the world can still follow the feudal system, rather than necessarily the centralized system. For example, after the Qin Dynasty unified the world, there were still ministers who suggested that the Qin Dynasty could adopt the feudal system, but Qin Shi Huang did not adopt it.
So in addition to the county system, what are the reasons for the final move from the feudal system to the ** centralized system?I think there is only one reason, and that is Legalism. Legalism can be said to be the only one among the hundred sons who advocates the most centralized system, such as Confucianism, which is also advocated by Zhou Li. The Zhou rite is a ritual system under the feudal system, and does not advocate a centralized system.
Legalism, on the other hand, was unique and paved the way for the Qin Dynasty to move towards a centralized system. Even if Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty deposed the hundred schools of thought in later generations, he respected Confucianism alone. However, their concept of governing the country is still dominated by hegemony, supplemented by the royal road. What do netizens think about this?Everyone is welcome to leave a message in the comment area and communicate with me.