Confucianism can be summed up by the following definition” Confucianism is perhaps best understood as an all-encompassing humanism that neither denies nor slights heaven” Confucianism is based on the teachings of ancient philosopher Confucius. Confucius was born in 551 B.C. in feudal state called Lu. When he was young he developed ideas on life and to live it in the best way possible. Confucianism has five important values benevolence, honesty, propriety, wisdom and sincerity.
Confucianism stresses the importance of the five basic beliefs. These beliefs are essential to modern day Confucianism. Plus they act as a guide on how act in relationships. Credit to: https://www.google.com/search?q=confucianism&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI7_S2wOz0xgIVzSmICh0BXwPC&biw=1920&bih=971#tbm=isch&q=confucianism+basic+beliefs&imgrc=Z4R5xj-rg3CjmM%3A
Confucius was the founder of Confucianism. His original idea was not to start a religion or even a new way of life, he wanted to change the way the government in his hometown of Lu was run. While, Confucius failed to change the government he started to gain a following of people that liked the way her thought. That is how the idea of the philosophy/religion started and it just slowly spread around China.
The ideas of Confucian temples have nothing to do with sacrifices or offerings like Buddhism. Instead they were started as a place to come think about life and read which is something Confucius stressed a lot is.