Final answer:
The Mandate of Heaven is a belief that Heaven grants the divine right to rule to morally upright leaders and can take it away if they become corrupt, signifying divine right of kings (A). It influenced Chinese politics and culture by legitimizing dynasties and incorporating moral governance as a key aspect of rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mandate of Heaven was a political and religious doctrine used by the Zhou dynasty to justify their overthrow of the Shang and subsequent rule. It entails a divine right of kings, asserting that Heaven would grant the right to rule to a virtuous leader. This right could be lost and passed on to another if the current ruler became corrupt or failed to fulfill his duties, leading to signs of divine displeasure such as natural disasters. The Mandate of Heaven called upon rulers to maintain a moral governance and uphold the welfare of the people or face the potential of being replaced.
As an element of central Chinese ideology, the Mandate did not promote people's revolution (D) or democratic principles (C); nor was it merely about feudal obligations (B). Instead, it served to sanctify the emperor's rule as divinely chosen, which is closest to the concept of divine right of kings (A).