The Mandate of Heaven: Eastern Civilization Podcast

Film Focus: The Eastern Civilization Podcast discusses the Chinese tradition of the Mandate of Heaven, and how it was used by many emperors to legitimize their claims that they were divinely appointed to rule the nation.

Text Focus: Page 376

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the Mandate of Heaven? When was it first used and why?
2. What kind of events served to show that an emperor had lost the Mandate of Heaven? What would have happened in response to these events?
3. Discuss how one might gain the Mandate of Heaven. Did one need to come from a specific family, location, tribe, or class?
4. Why did the people of China like the policy of the Mandate of Heaven? Would you want to live under this system? Discuss.
5. Discuss how the Mandate of Heaven might be used and misused by ancient emperors.

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