In the context of AP World History, Daoism is a key Chinese belief system that emerged around the 6th century BCE. It stands apart from Confucianism, which focuses on social order. Daoism instead teaches how to live in harmony with the Dao—the natural force that guides the universe.
For your exam, you need to understand what Daoism means. This knowledge will help you analyze Chinese culture and politics throughout history. The guide below covers everything you should know about this important belief system.
The Core Definition
To succeed on the AP exam, you need a clear definition of Daoism. It is a belief system based on living in tune with the natural order of the universe, known as the Dao.
Daoism teaches people to live simply, act without forcing things, and let go of worldly desires like wealth and power.
Laozi and the Daodejing
Daoism's origins are linked to a figure called Laozi, which means "Old Master." He reportedly wrote Daoism's main text, the Daodejing (The Classic of the Way and Its Virtue).
The Daodejing was written between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. This was a time of great unrest during the late Zhou Dynasty, when thinkers were looking for ways to bring back peace and order to society.
Understanding the Dao
The main idea in Daoism is the Dao itself. The Dao is not a god but the natural force that flows through everything in the world. It creates, shapes, and makes up the entire universe.
Think of the Dao like a river. You can fight against its current and tire yourself out, or you can flow with it and move through life with ease.
Core Daoist Beliefs
To do well on the exam, you must know a few key ideas. These concepts form the heart of Daoist thought.
Key Concepts for Students
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Wu Wei: Effortless Action
This is perhaps the most important Daoist idea. Wu wei doesn't mean doing nothing at all. It means acting in harmony with the natural flow of the Dao. This is very different from Confucianism, which stresses formal actions to keep social order. A ruler who practices wu wei governs with a light touch, avoiding too many laws or taxes. -
Yin and Yang: Cosmic Balance
The yin-yang symbol shows how the universe contains pairs of forces. It shows that things like light and dark or male and female need each other to exist. Daoists seek balance between these forces, not the triumph of one over the other. This idea shaped Chinese medicine, art, and martial arts. -
Simplicity and Humility
Daoism values a simple life. It rejects social rules and the pursuit of wealth or status. The wise person, according to Daoism, values plain, simple things over fancy or complex ones. -
Harmony with Nature
Daoists deeply respect the natural world. They see nature as the purest form of the Dao. This view often put Daoists at odds with rulers who wanted to control nature through big projects like walls and canals.
Historical Context
Daoism didn't appear out of nowhere. You need to know when it emerged to understand its role in history.
Hundred Schools of Thought
Daoism began during the final years of the Zhou Dynasty, in the Warring States Period (475-221 BCE). This was a time when China was split into many fighting states. During this chaos, many ways of thinking emerged.
Daoism, Confucianism, and Legalism all tried to answer one question: How can we bring back peace and order to society?
Coexistence in Imperial China
The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) chose Legalism as its official belief system. Legalist rulers demanded total obedience and banned other ideas, including Daoism.
The Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) that followed made Confucianism the state's official philosophy. Yet Daoism remained important. Many rulers and officials followed Confucian ideas in public but practiced Daoist principles in private for their personal well-being. This shows how Chinese belief systems often mixed together.
During the Han Dynasty, "religious Daoism" also began to develop. This form of Daoism had gods, rituals, and priests who focused on trying to live forever. It was quite different from the philosophical Daoism found in the Daodejing.
Lasting Cultural Influence
Daoism has shaped Chinese culture in many ways. Its focus on nature heavily influenced landscape painting, which tried to capture the spirit of the Dao in scenes of mountains and water.
Its ideas about balance became central to Chinese medicine. Practices like acupuncture aim to balance the body's qi (life force). Over time, Daoism also mixed with Buddhism after it arrived in China, with each tradition influencing the other.
Daoism vs. Others
For the AP exam, you need to compare Daoism with Confucianism and Legalism. This topic often appears on the test.
Three Philosophies Compared
This table gives you a quick way to compare these belief systems.
| Feature | Daoism | Confucianism | Legalism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Nature | Naturally good; corrupted by society | Naturally good; needs cultivation via education & ritual | Naturally selfish and corrupt; needs control |
| Ideal Government | Minimal government (wu wei); governs lightly | Paternalistic; rulers lead by moral example (junzi) | Autocratic; absolute power enforces strict laws |
| View on Law | Laws are artificial and disrupt the Dao | Laws are secondary to moral virtue and ritual | Law is the supreme authority; harsh punishments |
| Social Ideal | A simple, natural, egalitarian existence | A hierarchical society based on the Five Relationships | A strong, militarized state with obedient subjects |
| Key Text | Daodejing | The Analects | Han Feizi |
Deeper Analysis
In your essays, go beyond basic facts to analyze specific themes like how each philosophy viewed government.
For governance, contrast how Daoism favored minimal rule through wu wei. Confucianism stressed that rulers should be moral examples. Legalism demanded strict state control through fear.
For social order, contrast how Daoism wanted to return to a simple, natural state. This was very different from Confucianism's rigid social structure based on five key relationships. Daoists saw such structures as harmful.
Analyzing Daoism on the Exam
Knowing facts is only part of what you need. You also need a strategy to use this knowledge on the test.
Tackling the DBQ
When reading a document, look for clues that suggest Daoist thinking. These might include criticism of ambition, praise for nature, support for minimal government, or terms like "the Way," "balance," or "emptiness."
When analyzing a document's purpose, think about its context. A passage from the Daodejing might be criticizing a ruler's wars or high taxes by offering a different vision of leadership based on harmony.
Building Essay Arguments
Daoism is useful for creating strong arguments in your essays.
For a comparison essay, use Daoism as a contrast to Confucianism to explain different approaches to governing China. You might argue that while Confucianism provided structure for government, Daoism offered a way to question state power.
For a Continuity and Change Over Time essay, show that while official state beliefs changed, Daoist ideas remained a constant influence. They shaped Chinese art, medicine, and even rebellions that used Daoist ideas to challenge rulers.
Earning Complexity
A great way to earn the "complexity" point is to show how these belief systems often worked together. Rulers were not limited to just one philosophy.
For example, a Han emperor might perform Confucian rituals in public to appear as a good leader. At the same time, he might privately consult Daoist healers for his personal health. This shows how different belief systems could exist side by side, serving different purposes for the same person.
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