In the early days when Confucius put forward Confucianism, his theory was not recognized by the rulers. Even though Mencius inherited and developed Confucianism and made it a prominent school with systematic theory, it was not generally accepted in that war-torn era. Because the words "benevolence" and "courtesy" are too illusory and unrealistic in the case of constant disputes. It was not until the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty that Dong Zhongshu and his improved Confucianism were put on the historical stage in order to "govern the world with good deeds". He systematically put forward the theory of "the unity of heaven and man" and "the unification of the world" and the proposition of "ousting a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone", and summarized the Confucian ethical thought as "three cardinal guides and five permanents" All these provided a theoretical basis for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to strengthen centralization and absolute monarchy. Since then, Confucianism has become the official philosophy. From the perspective of feudal rule, the widespread spread and recognition of Confucianism grasped the contradiction between the ruling class and the ruled class from the ideological root, ended the situation of a hundred schools of thought contending since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, stabilized the social, political and economic order, and laid the foundation for the centralized rule of feudal autocracy in the next two thousand years. From a longer-term perspective, this has also enabled China people to have a long-term national concept and belief in safeguarding national and ethnic unity, which is more than ten centuries earlier than the earliest nation-state in Western Europe. This is a strong concept of national unity. When China is facing a serious national crisis, the people of China can protect their homeland from foreign invaders with incredible strength. War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression's victory is the best proof.
The peak of Confucianism in the history of the development of Chinese civilization was initiated by Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty represented by Zhu. Zhu organically combined natural principles with human nature and put forward the idea of "preserving natural principles and extinguishing human desires" It can be said that Confucianism at this time is not only an idea, but also close to the height of philosophy. Zhu's Zhu Si Shu became a classic model of imperial examination, established the theory and concept of ideal personality, and had a far-reaching impact on the cultural character of the Chinese nation that pays attention to ethics, morality, social responsibility and historical mission. For the social form at that time, these thoughts did meet the political needs of a typical feudal agricultural country with big river civilization, but they also went to an extreme. Four-book notes became compulsory reading in imperial examinations, which deeply imprisoned people's thoughts. Especially in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the adoption of the imperial examination system of "stereotyped writing for selecting scholars" was not conducive to the cultivation of talents and the diversified development of culture, which was a very important factor for the stagnation of scientific and technological development, the weakening of politics and the darkness of culture in China. No wonder after the Revolution of 1911, the government spared no effort to get rid of bad habits and change customs. What's more, the New Culture Movement totally criticized Confucianism and totally denied traditional culture. We can also see that it is difficult for Confucianism to find the warmth and tolerance of benevolence at this time, and some just ignore the abnormal development of human nature and personality from "courtesy" to "reason"
However, Confucianism still plays an important role in today's new historical development period. The key lies in the word "benevolence" and the "harmony" derived from "benevolence" Today, when dealing with diplomatic issues, China adheres to the Five Cardinal Principles of Peace, and "peace" is put in the first place, which fully reflects the yearning for peace and harmony in China culture and the rejection of war and hegemonism, all of which are derived from Confucianism. I believe that Confucianism, as a force deeply rooted in China's genes, will still have great influence in the future historical process.