Compare/Contrast Paragraph - Prompt #1

Compare/Contrast Paragraph - Prompt #1

From 600 B.C.E. to 600 B.C., both China and the Mediterranean had clear class distinction between elites and ordinary people that were established by their government systems, while in China, the Confucian principles of the Chinese government supported the social order, in the Mediterranean, a democratic government system upheld the class system.  In both China and the Mediterranean, the government system kept the classes separate by having a small group of people below the emperor who supported him and kept him powerful.  In China this group was the bureaucracy, and in the Mediterranean this group was the aristocracy.  Although bureaucrats in China took tests to rise to power, they generally came from the wealthy upper classes, as did the aristocrats of Rome.  This system kept the power in the upper classes, protecting the emperor and keeping the lower classes in their place, furthering the divisions between classes.  Despite these similarities, China and the Mediterranean had different government systems and values which also kept the social classes distinct.  In Rome, the government was a sort of democracy, in which the plebeians elected their own representatives.  This system kept the lower classes satisfied that they had an impact, even if it was a small one, reducing the risk of rebellion and keeping the classes separate.  In China, the lower classes stayed in their place because of the traditional Confucian values of responsibility they were taught by the government.  The people felt they had an obligation to society where they were, that they were meant to be there and perform their duties.  This is how the Chinese government kept the classes divided. 

Week 1.1 - Which Historical Thinking Skill Does Chua Best Demonstrate?

Chua's Best Thinking Skill

Amy Chua best demonstrates the thinking skill of crafting historical arguments from historical evidence.  She states that the thesis of her book is that all hyperpowers rise because of tolerance and fall because of intolerance and tolerance.  This thesis is argued and defended by providing many different examples.  Chua describes how the well-known Mongol empire was in a way, very tolerant, and how this helped them rise to dominance.  She supplies evidence that shows how the modest Dutch Empire gained power by opening up their empire to anyone willing to come.  By not only using evidence that clearly supports her thesis, but also showing examples of not-so-obvious empires, Amy Chua skillfully creates a very believable argument.