Thesis Ccot: Xia Shang Zhou & Mongol Dbq

Thesis Continuity and Discontinuity from the Xia – Shang – Zhou

At the start of the period, the Xia dynasty marked the creation of the first dynasty of China after Yu the Great saved the region from the flooding waters of the Huang He River. The influence of the emperor grew as authority became centralized in these empires. The role and importance of women in the empire dwindled through the ages. Beginning during the period of the Shang Empire, writing began emerging in the empire as well as iron metallurgy. The capitals were moved for each dynasty due to the increase in their geographical size. Throughout the period, the importance and value of silk and bronze grew due to long distance trade in the empires. The importance of family as an organizing principle was common throughout the empires as well as an established social hierarchy. Ancestor veneration was also retained as a value and the focus on the Huang He River was never altered.

Mongol DBQ

The Mongols, one of the most effective and well-structured fighting forces throughout Asia and Europe from the 11th to 14th centuries CE , have often been accused of being barbaric and ruthless killers, trained to kill from birth (Doc 1,2,7,8). However, many would argue that the Mongols were more concerned about uniting their conquered lands than killing people, and that they fought against injustice as a civilized people aspiring for peace and control(Doc 6, 9, 11). Moreover, the Mongols had complex social and military structures, and their exceptional abilities for organizing armies and applying their skills as hunters for war situations gave them dominance over most of other nationalities (Doc 3, 4, 5). While many others show the Mongols emphasis on their use and importance of horses in their societies (Doc 10, 12, 13).

The Mongols were most often perceived as barbaric, nomadic people of the steppes. They attacked their enemies with cunning ability and tactics. And after they have defeated their enemies, often by slaughtering them and piling them up like logs (Doc 1.) Many who have witnessed the pillage by the Mongols and survived it have written about. They describe the horrific events of the attack and how everyone is terrified (Doc 2). Often whole tribes and society were wiped out (Doc 7). Civilizations and cities “laying waste in a horrible desolation” as the Mongols discriminate with no one as they kill (Doc 8).

While the Mongols have often written otherwise about themselves, defending their acts with causes. Ogedei has been represented as a charitable man who only fights against the eradication of injustice and enmity (Doc 6). Because the author is a Mongolian high official