In which dynasty did the teachings of Confucius become widely popular?

• A. Qin
• B. Han
• C. Zhou
• D. Song

Answer: (A)

The teachings of Confucius became widely popular during the Han dynasty. This period, which followed the Qin dynasty, saw the establishment of Confucianism as the core ideology of the state. The Han emperors adopted Confucian principles to create a stable and organized government, emphasizing morality, social harmony, and the importance of education based on Confucian texts. The civil service examination system introduced during this period further solidified the influence of Confucian teachings, as it relied on knowledge of Confucian classics for selecting government officials.

While the Zhou dynasty was the period when Confucianism was initially developed and began to take shape, it was during the Han dynasty that these teachings were formally integrated into government policies and society at large, leading to their enduring impact on Chinese culture and governance. The Qin dynasty, known for its authoritarian rule and Legalist philosophy, did not promote Confucianism, and the Song dynasty came later, building upon the already established prominence of Confucian thought.