What Chinese concept suggested that rulers were given the right to rule by divine authority?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to identify the Chinese concept that explains a ruler's legitimacy based on divine approval. We need to choose the correct concept from the provided options: Great wall principle, Confucian Harmony, Dynastic cycle, or Mandate of Heaven.
Answer
The Mandate of Heaven
The Chinese concept that suggested rulers were given the right to rule by divine authority is called the Mandate of Heaven. This belief asserted that Heaven granted emperors the right to rule based on their virtue and ability to govern well.
Answer for screen readers
The Chinese concept that suggested rulers were given the right to rule by divine authority is called the Mandate of Heaven. This belief asserted that Heaven granted emperors the right to rule based on their virtue and ability to govern well.
More Information
The Mandate of Heaven was used to justify the rule of the Zhou dynasty and continued to influence Chinese political thought for centuries.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the Mandate of Heaven with the Divine Right of Kings in Europe. While both concepts provide legitimacy to rulers, the Mandate of Heaven is conditional and can be lost if a ruler is unjust, whereas the Divine Right of Kings asserts that a monarch's authority comes directly from God and cannot be challenged.
Sources
- Mandate of Heaven - World History Encyclopedia - worldhistory.org
- Mandate of Heaven | Definition, History & Influence - Study.com - study.com
- Video: Zhou Dynasty & the Mandate of Heaven - Study.com - study.com
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