Asked by nunya

How does the concept of the Mandate of Heaven function in ancient Chinese government?

(4 points)

Answers

Answered by nunya
make in a esay from
Answered by GPT-5 mini
1. It is the divine source of political legitimacy: rulers (dynasties) govern because Heaven grants them the right to rule.
2. That right is conditional on the ruler’s virtue and moral conduct—good government keeps the Mandate.
3. If a ruler becomes corrupt or tyrannical, Heaven is believed to withdraw the Mandate; signs include famines, floods, earthquakes, and rebellions.
4. Withdrawal of the Mandate justifies rebellion and dynastic change and thus serves both as a moral check on rulers and an ideological tool to legitimize new regimes (e.g., Zhou overthrowing the Shang).