World History And World Geography Cset Constructed Responses

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Read the two passages below; then complete the exercise that follows.

French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789):

"Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be based only on common utility. Liberty consists in the ability to do whatever does not harm another; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to other members of society the enjoyment of the same rights. These limits can only be determined by law. Law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to take part, in person or by their representatives, in its formation. It must be the same for all whether it protects or penalizes.All citizens being equal in its eyes are equally admissible to all public dignities, offices and employments, according to their capacity, and with no other distinction than that of their virtues and talents."

Prussian General Code (1791):

"The rights of a man arise from his birth, from his estate, and from actions and arrangements with which the laws have associated a certain determinate effect. Persons to whom, by their birth, destination or principal occupation, equal rights are ascribed in civil society, make up together an estate of the state. The nobility, as the first estate in the state, most especially bears the obligation, by its distinctive destination, to maintain the defense of the state. . . . Only the nobleman has the right to possess noble property. Persons of the burgher [middle-class] estate cannot own noble property except by permission of the sovereign. Noblemen shall normally engage in no burgher livelihood or occupation."

Using the information presented in the two passages and your knowledge of world history, analyze the historical factors and events that shaped the development of the views expressed in the passages above.

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World History (Extended-Response Question #16

(Score Point 4 Response)

The government of France prior to the Revolution was autocratic and based on the theory of the divine right of kings. This system crushed the masses of the people under an economic weight of endless wars and governmental excesses coupled with political inequality. Opposition to this theory of the monarchy and the prevailing system came from a group of intellectuals in the Enlightenment. Locke, Rousseau, and Motesquieu believed that people had basic rights upon which government should be based.

The example of the American Revolution and the ideas of Americans such as Thomas Paine were also influential. It took the violence of the Revolution to loosen the grip of the old system and allow the thoughts of the Enlightenment to shape a new code. The Declaration reflects the desire to radically change the system of government and in so doing recognize the rights of the average citizen.

The Prussian General Code, drawn up at approximately the same time, was in fact a statement of support for the type of government that had existed in France prior to the Revolution. Its aim was to preserve the existing social order, in which people were born to particular estates with particular roles in the hierarchy. These roles were not to be blurred, as for instance by the participation of any nobleman in commercial activity. The nobility were the first estate because of their obligation to maintain the defense of the state. Their land-owning privileges were their reward. This code was in part drawn up in fear that the new French ideas might spread to Prussia. But it was also intended to preserve Prussian power in the wake of the Thirty Years' War, and the Peace of Westphalia that had weakened Germany, by guaranteeing the privileges and loyalty of the nobility who were essential to the country's military strength.

Front 2

Complete the exercise that follows.

Confucianism and Taoism are the two main philosophical influences on the development of Chinese thought and civilization.

Using your knowledge of world history:

`discuss a shared feature of Taoism and Confucianism; and

`analyze a major difference between the two philosophical traditions.

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World History (Short [Focused]-Response Question #17 (Score Point 3 Response)

Confucianism and Taoism are both ancient Chinese philosophies. Taoism is a more mystical philosophy, emphasizing an individual's quest for harmony with the natural world and a peaceful acceptance of the world and oneself. It is not really concerned with social institutions but more with relinquishing concern with them, especially concerns with power, in favor of a purity of heart that makes one's actions one with the Tao.

Confucianism on the other hand is about the social world and its traditions, such as respect for elders and ancestors. Its laws and rules, which permeate every social interaction, are seen as essential to social harmony. This worldliness is very unlike Taoism.

But ultimately the sense of harmony is the goal of both philosophies.

One is more worldly, one is more mystical, but they are more like aspects of a single understanding than like opposing viewpoints.

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