Final answer:
Legalism was created as a reaction to the chaotic Warring States Period, advocating for a strong centralized authority and rule of law to stabilize and strengthen the state. It contrasted with Confucianism and focused on power and control rather than moral principles. Although effective in state-building, the oppressive nature of Legalism led to the short-lived Qin dynasty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Legalism was created as a reaction to the chaos of The Warring States Period. The school of thought known as Legalism emphasized a strong, authoritarian government powered by a strict legal code and clear rewards and punishments. During the Warring States period (ca. 475-221 BCE), China was fragmented into multiple competing states which led to constant conflict and the need for new methods to achieve order and stability. Legalism arose in this context, proposing ruthless and authoritarian policies as a means to unify and strengthen the state.
Contrary to Confucianism, which focused on virtue and social obligations, Legalism downplayed the need for morality, arguing that a rich country and a strong army were the foundation of a good government. Legalism's impact was profound, leading to the recombination of the feudal domains into a new structure: the empire. Despite its effectiveness in creating a centralized state, the Qin dynasty, which fully embraced Legalism, lasted only fifteen years