Rome and Han Views of Technology DBQ Classroom Write Up
The Question: Using the Documents, analyze the Han and Roman attitudes
toward technology. Identify on additional type of document and explain how it
would help your analysis.
When you read this question you should be starting to formulate a response in
your mind. Things you might be thinking about could include…
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Both groups were classical civilizations existing at the same time that had
limited contact
They existed in different parts of the world
Both groups ruled large empires and used advanced technology to
provide for their respective populations
Agriculture was still the foundation of both societies
Write out quick Doc Tags: (grouping by Roman and Han sources seems
appropriate…perhaps items about material technology v. ideas about people)
D1- H, official, H2O conservation inspectors w/ specific orders
D2- H, official, decline in quality of work, increase in $, convict labor as cause
D3- H, philosopher, Fuxi, Mythical Emperor, Mortar and Pestle, invention and
improvements
D4- H, Gov. Hist., helping workers be more effective
D5- R, upper class, disrespect for workers
D6- R, High Official, appreciation of both form and function, roads, mile markers,
mounting stones
D7- R, upper class, disrespect for inventors of tools
D8- R, General, water supply, features, surplus for pleasure
Thesis statement (rough idea): Both Rome and Han Dynasty China were
conspicuous users of technology. However, the Roman valued the technology
itself but not always the people who produced it, while the Chinese tended to
be more respectful of workers in general.
Opening Paragraph: (thesis in bold)
In the early centuries of the Common Era, Roman Civilization in Europe
and the Han Dynasty Chinese in East Asia existed at roughly the same time
during prolonged periods of peace which allowed for the development and
refinement of advanced technologies. Both of these classical civilizations used
technology for a variety of purposes to maintain their empires and provide for
their citizens. Elites in both civilizations valued and understood the benefits of
advanced technology in a variety of areas. However, the Chinese show a
greater sensitivity and respect for the common man where the Romans seemed
to value the technology itself but not the workers, viewing them as base and
unsophisticated.
Body Paragraphs (Han China):
In Han Society technology was valued on many levels.
The vast
population of China required effective water management technologies to
maintain agricultural infrastructure in order to produce surplus food for urban
centers. The Chinese made significant investments of human capital and
resources to make sure irrigation systems ran with minimal interruption (D1). The
Chinese tended to hold the view that those in leadership positions had a
responsibility to assist and help the working class with their labors by supporting
technological innovation (D4). The Chinese also valued quality of work, fostered
by the belief that craftsmen developed superior products to those derived from
forced labor (D2). The cultural bias toward leadership supporting the people
was so pronounced that it worked its way into Chinese Mythology at times,
showing wise emperors as inventing technologies that assisted the population
(D3).
These attitudes would make sense in the context of Asian society, given
regional influences of Confucianism and Taoism. Confucianism stresses order in
society and respect for one’s position within the group, while Taoism’s focus is
harmony within society and with the natural environment. Both ideas may be
reflected in the Chinese sources provided here, as Chinese elites would tend to
support these philosophies (POV). It would greatly assist our analysis of Chinese
views of technology to have access to a document containing the point of view
of a Chinese laborer or peasant. A document of this kind might allow for a
better understanding as to if the lower classes felt valued by the elites in their
society (OD).
Body Paragraphs (Rome) (Different Style of Organization Used):
The Romans were perhaps even more gifted with technology related to
civil engineering than the contemporary Chinese. Over several centuries the
Romans conquered a vast and culturally diverse empire in the Mediterranean
Region of the Western World. Their ability to control this empire, provide services
to their citizens and foster trade and commerce relied on advanced
technologies such as roads and aqueducts.
Roman roads served several purposes.
They allowed for efficient
movement of military troops, assisted in effective trade and connected urban
centers to core areas of the empire. The Romans took pride not only in these
advantages but also made special efforts to make sure the roadways were
esthetically pleasing and helpful to the population (D6). Building roadways that
were straight, overcame obstacles and offered features such as mounting
blocks, mile markers and speed bumps offered a sense of pride to many
Romans (D6).
Providing water for large urban populations was another challenge the
Romans used advanced technologies to address.
The Romans found
satisfaction in the ability to use aqueducts to provide enough water for basic
needs as well as pleasure (D8). Surplus water could be used for bathhouses,
fountains and the individual homes of the wealthy citizens. Positive attitudes
toward technology would make sense as they reflect or have connections to
elites in the society. These individuals would see direct benefits from the
implementation of items such as roads and water management technologies
(POV).
Unlike the Chinese, the Romans did not seem to be concerned about
helping workers. Evidence suggests that the Romans viewed workers that
developed or implemented technologies in a disrespectful or degrading
manner (D5) (D7). This difference in viewpoint could be due to the greater use
of slave labor in Roman society when compared to the Han, perhaps leading to
a lesser value placed on people from the working class (POV).
As with the sources from China, it would be helpful to have a document
from the point of view of an average citizen in Roman society. This kind of
source would offer evidence to show if the disrespect toward the working class
was pervasive through the whole society or was contained primarily in the upper
classes (OD).
Conclusion: (can be sued to refine the thesis statement)
Roman and Han Dynasty Chinese civilizations valued the benefits of
advanced technology. They took great care to build and maintain these
technologies for the benefit of those in their societies. However, the two groups
had dramatically different attitudes toward the individuals that developed and
implemented technology in these advanced classical civilizations.
Remember to go back to your “basic core” grading items on the AP rubric:
Has an acceptable thesis
Is organized and well written
Uses all the documents
Provides explanation and analysis of point of view of authors
Grouping of documents in appropriate ways
Proposes additional documents that would be helpful
These items are a MUST…but doing the well can earn you bonus points.