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Han China Dbq Essay

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Systems of government have a major influence on the development and success of a civilization and culture. This can be said about Athens during its Golden Age and about China during the Han dynasty. Han China was ruled by an imperial bureaucracy based upon the teachings of Confucius which allowed only a tiny part of its population to participate in government. In contrast, 5th Century Athens was a direct democracy which allowed a greater number of its inhabitants to take part in governing. These civilizations differed greatly in geography, population and size which influenced their development. They also held contrasting beliefs regarding the source of political authority and how it was maintained. However, these civilizations also shared …show more content…

While both the Greeks and Chinese were similar in that they shared the idea that authority to rule depends in certain ways upon the approval of the people, their views were also quite different in fundamental ways. Specifically, the Greeks believed that the power to rule came directly from the “demos” (the people) and the Chinese believed that the the emperor's rule must be accepted by the people. As Mencius, a student of Confucius explained, the emperor rules with the blessing of Heaven; “heaven sees with the eyes of the people.” Heaven hears with the ears of the people.”(doc. 6) This shows that in both societies the will of the people was important. However, the view of these two societies was also very different on this issue in one critical way. The Chinese believed their emperor was chosen by God, through “the mandate of heaven” which was not the case in Athens, as is clear in the words of Pericles, the father of Athenian democracy. In fact, Pericles persuasively explains in his oration during the Peloponnesian Wars why he feels the Athenian point of view is superior when he proclaims that Athenian democracy serves as a model to others. He explains that what makes democracy special is the fact that everyone is equal before the law, that no man is prevented from participating in …show more content…

For example, in Athens “the good life” for upper class citizens was defined by participation in government and obedience to the law. He was expected to be an active participant in politics and discussions on government affairs and to adhere to the laws above all. This expectation is clearly seen in Pericles’ famous funeral oration where he proclaims that the individual must be informed on political matters in order to be a good citizen (doc. 8) and in the “Dialogues of Crito,” where Socrates explains the significance of obeying the law over everything else, even over concerns of life and family (doc. 9). During the “Dialogues of Crito,” Socrates was just convicted for corrupting the youth of Athens and he is explaining to Crito why he shouldn’t run from Athens, because by staying he would be doing what is morally right. Likewise, the role of the individual in Han society (although different from Athens’) was equally well defined and they also expected that citizens adhere to their role and to the law. In Han China the emphasis was placed on the Confucian principle of filial piety and the supremacy of the family. Filial piety meant blind loyalty, respect and obedience to a Chinese citizens’ parents and ancestors and this concept was extended by the Han to include the

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