Mandate of Heaven

What does the Mandate of Heaven mean?

• • A god becomes the ruler of China

• • A king can rule forever

• • A ruler is chosen by the gods to rule

• • A leader is always born into power

When did the idea of the Mandate of Heaven begin?

• • During the Han Dynasty

• • During the Qin Dynasty

• • During the Shang Dynasty

• • During the Zhou Dynasty

Why did the Zhou Dynasty say the Shang rulers lost the Mandate of Heaven?

• • They ruled wisely

• • They were unfair and cruel

• • They built the Great Wall

• • They had no children

What were rulers with the Mandate of Heaven expected to do?

• • Take care of their people and rule fairly

• • Build big palaces

• • Fight wars with other countries

• • Collect more taxes

What natural disaster might show that a ruler lost the Mandate of Heaven?

• • A good harvest

• • A flood

• • A sunny day

• • A strong army

What could people do if they believed a ruler lost the Mandate of Heaven?

• • Ask the ruler to make a new law

• • Build a bigger palace

• • Rebel and choose a new leader

• • Write a letter to the gods

Why was the Mandate of Heaven important for rulers?

• • It stopped wars from happening

• • It made the gods punish the people

• • It allowed rulers to do whatever they wanted

• • It showed that rulers had to govern wisely

What dynasty started the idea of the Mandate of Heaven?

• • Zhou

• • Qin

• • Shang

• • Han

How did the Mandate of Heaven explain the rise and fall of dynasties?

• • It stopped people from rebelling

• • It showed that rulers stayed in power forever

• • It explained that bad rulers would lose the gods’ support

• • It said that all rulers were gods

1. Which of these is NOT a sign that a ruler lost the Mandate of Heaven?

• • Floods

• • A good harvest

• • Famine

• • Earthquakes