jan 1, 1814 - Civil Service Examinations

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Grueling tests given to the highest achieving students from wealthy families in order to obtain degrees and high level success. Each candidate was placed in bare chambers with the minimal essentials to survive for a period of three days, and writing utensils. Their goal was to spend the duration of their time writing massive compositions possessing 8 distinct parts, with no interruption nor contact to the outside world. This became a very competitive climate that eventually gave way to cheaters and corrupt individuals that compromised the system's integrity. These examinations encouraged education, provided a way to move up the social ladder, and embedded Confician thinking into generations of Chinese citizens.

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