The Mandate Of Heaven Analysis

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When King Wen, the Zhou ruler, defeated Di Xin, the last Shang ruler, it ended the oppressive regime of the Shang’s, and the Zhou Dynasty extended its power across the country, became the longest ruling dynasty in Chinese history and introduced the Mandate of Heaven, a idea that is still fairly important to Chinese history today. The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political principle in which people in power were granted the right to rule through a divine source; in turn, this notion indicates that the approach towards morality, change, and the young were relatively democratic, but nevertheless religiously concentrate. The Mandate of Heaven is an early Chinese philosophical notion that illustrates whether or not an emperor is trustworthy enough to…show more content…
Many people started to become more worried about the advantages and regards for all others rather than the parties and riches. As mentioned in the block of documents, "People were not to be disturbed with dancing, drinking, palaces, wealth and women, but to honor sage words of loyalty and upright." (A&O p. 34) If kings were to resist moral behavior and become “addicted to one of the fashions of evil,” (A&O p. 34) then they would be punished by the Heavens. The same went for high-ranking officials, nobles, and ministers. This certainly shifted their actions, because they didn't need their household or estate to be decreased at all. The approaches towards the young were just as judgmental as the frame of mind towards wrong behavior. Youths were regarded as disorderly, though, the elders were still respected. As stated in the block of the document, “He conformed to the wisdom of the ancients, occupying the highest position, he displayed intelligence” (A&O p. 34). These mindsets remained common, but modern enough that citizens could overthrow their

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