Question

The mandate of heaven:

a) Believed that heaven would bless the authority of a just ruler.
b) Established the Shang Dynasty.
c) Was opposite to the divine rights of kings theory.
d) Became the foundation for the establishment of the 18th dynasty in Egypt.

Answer 1

The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political and religious doctrine used to justify the legitimacy of rulers, suggesting that a just and virtuous ruler holds divine support, which can be revoked in the case of misrule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Mandate of Heaven is a traditional Chinese philosophical concept concerning the legitimacy of rulers. It holds that heaven bestows the mandate to a just and virtuous ruler, thus granting the right to govern. The ruler's continued authority depends on their ability to maintain heaven's favor by ruling justly and ensuring the welfare of the people. If a ruler fails in their duties, exhibits moral corruption, or the kingdom suffers from natural calamities and social unrest, it is believed that the ruler has lost the mandate and that heaven will select a new, virtuous leader. This concept was created during the overthrow of the Shang dynasty by the Zhou dynasty and shaped Chinese governance and periodic transfers of power for many centuries thereafter, influencing everything from statecraft and social hierarchy to culture and religion.