Question 1

As restrictions and prohibitions are multiplied in the Empire, the people grow poorer and poorer. When the people are subjected to overmuch government, the land is thrown into confusion . . . . The greater the number of laws and enactments, the more thieves and robbers there will be. Therefore the Sage says: "So long as I do nothing, the people will work out their own reformation. So long as I love calm, the people will right themselves. If only I keep from meddling, the people will grow rich. If only I am free from desire, the people will come naturally back to simplicity."'
   - The Sayings of Lao-Tzu: "Government" translated by Lionel Giles, 1904

What were Lao-Tzu's views on government?

Accepted Answer

Lao-Tzu advocated for limited government involvement in people's everyday lives.

Answer

Lao-Tzu believed that only people from the upper class were fit to govern.

Answer

Lao-Tzu felt that regulations on trade would lead to more people becoming rich.

Answer

Lao-Tzu thought that people were naturally evil and needed many laws to govern their behavior.

Question 2

Timeline of Legal Codes'
'1700 BCE'
 Hammurabi's code in Babylon created strict laws and punishments.
'550 BCE'
 Solon's code in Greece created less strict laws and punishments.
'1215 CE'
 Magna Carta in England limits a king's power and protects citizens' rights.

How has the role of legal codes evolved through time in human societies?

Accepted Answer

Legal codes have gradually given more protections to citizens.

Answer

Legal codes have been based on religious beliefs.

Answer

Governments have never supported the rights of citizens.

Answer

Laws have become stricter over time.

Question 3

Kings wanted to control decision making in their governments. How did this desire affect the structures of governments?

Accepted Answer

Governments became absolute monarchies when the king or queen held all power in their hands.

Answer

Governments became elected monarchies when kings or queens were elected by the people.

Answer

Governments became hereditary monarchies when kings and queens transferred power to their children.

Answer

Governments became constitutional monarchies when the king or queen shared the power with a legislative council.

Question 4

All south from this is named the Middle Kingdom. . . . The people . . . have not to . . . attend to any magistrates and their rules; only those who cultivate the royal land have to pay (a portion of) the grain from it. . . . The king governs without . . . corporal punishments. Criminals are simply fined, lightly or heavily, according to the circumstances (of each case).'  - 'A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms' by Faxian, translated by James Legge, 1886

'But in Crete . . . all the fruits of the earth, of cattle, of the public revenues . . . one portion is assigned to the gods and to the service of the state, and another to the common meals, so that men, women, and children are all supported out of a common stock.'  - 'The Politics of Aristotle', translated by Benjamin Jowett, 1885

Based on the excerpts, how did the responsibilities of citizens in the Middle Kingdom compare to those of citizens of Crete?

Accepted Answer

Citizens of the Middle Kingdom had to pay a portion of their crops only if they used royal land, but in Crete everyone had to pay a portion to the state.

Answer

In both kingdoms, citizens had to grow crops on royal land and give their proceeds to the king, who distributed them evenly among citizens of the kingdom.

Answer

In both kingdoms, citizens were required to contribute a portion of their crops to provide food for citizens in the kingdom in which they lived.

Answer

Citizens of the Middle Kingdom had to pay a portion of their crops to their government, while in Crete only citizens in the highest social class had to make a contribution.

Related quizzes

Related quizzes