Download Mandate of Heaven

Mandate of
Heaven
Let’s think…
• What causes a government to lose
power and fall?
Reasons why governments
collapse
• Internal problems: cause the people to
be unhappy
– Needs aren’t being met
• People are starving
• People aren’t protected
• Lack of resources and order
– Government response to disaster is
considered ineffective
– Economy
Reasons why governments
collapse
• External problems: an outside force
attacks and overthrows your government
China’s Leadership
• Dynasty: A series of rulers from the same
family
Mandate of Heaven
• Belief in China that determines its leadership
• A power believed to be granted by a higher power that
is thought to be the basis of royal authority (rule)
• The people of China believed that a ruler possessed
the Mandate of Heaven as long as he ruled justly
• Belief creates a cyclical transfer of power called the
“Dynastic Cycle”
China’s Dynastic
Cycle
4 Principles of Mandate of Heaven
• The Mandate of Heaven is based on 4
principles:
1. The right to rule is granted by Heaven
2. There is only one Heaven therefore there can
be only one ruler
3. The right to rule is based on the virtue of the
ruler
4. The right to rule is not limited to one dynasty
Why Mandate of Heaven makes
China unique
• Golden ages: a period of tranquility (peace) and
prosperity (wealth) characterized by a strong
government, strong economy, and advancements
• Allowed for time of peace in every new dynasty
• Created unity because all people throughout
China supported same leader; fighting doesn’t
continue after new leader chosen by the heavens
Mandate of Heaven: Order
• Provides ruler with supreme power– creates
obedience, respect, loyalty to the winner because
Heaven has selected its ruler
• Creates a process by which the people are able to
recover quickly from chaos so that the civilization can
continue to thrive
• Ensures good leadership and good laws because the
ruler wants to keep the Mandate of Heaven
• Only allows rebellion when leadership has stopped
being effective—prevents unnecessary civil war
Mandate of Heaven: Unity
• Creates a common belief-- all Chinese
people believe in Mandate of Heaven
• Creates one leader that all Chinese people
respect and obey regardless of their
previous affiliations