1. The DBQ Essay

2. DBQ Question
Using the documents, analyze Han and Roman attitudes toward technology. Identify one additional type of document and explain briefly how it would help your analysis.
For each document, you need to ask yourself what attitude toward technology is being conveyed.

3. Document 1 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Han official is ordering local officials on how to organize their labor force with use of technology in order to prevent disaster from floods
OCCASION
China, early 2nd century B.C.E.
AUDIENCE
Local Han officials
PURPOSE
To make sure the government is maintaining public works and controlling floods
To convey idea that technology is essential part of empire and requires government intervention
SPEAKER
Han government official
TONE
Shows concern for people and property; gives the impression that technology is there to aid the Chinese (urgent, straightforward/organized)

4. Document 2 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Huan Guan is writing about the problems that lack of technology and poor government policy is having on the people
OCCASION
China, first century B.C.E.
AUDIENCE
Government officials
PURPOSE
To advise the government that their policies (using convict labor to make tools and monopoly on salt and iron) has had devastating effects on the people
Also, to let the Han government know that it is their job to rectify the situation and improve the available technologies
SPEAKER
Huan Guan, Han government official
TONE
Critical of recent government policies

5. Document 3 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Huan Tan is listing the progress of technology after the emperor’s first invention.
OCCASION
China, about 20 C.E.
AUDIENCE
Educated, mostly upper class Chinese; government
PURPOSE
To show the benefits that technology has provided to the Chinese people
SPEAKER
Huan Tan, upper-class Han philosopher
TONE
Shows appreciation for the benefits of technology. Attitude that technology is a “gift” from enlightened emperors.

6. The mortar is a bowl, typically made of hard wood, ceramic or stone
The mortar is a bowl, typically made of hard wood, ceramic or stone. The pestle is a heavy club-shaped object, the end of which is used for crushing and grinding.

7. Document 4 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Stating how Tu Shih, a Han governor, cared for the Chinese people and used technology to benefit them
OCCASION
China, about 200 C.E.
AUDIENCE
People who might be losing faith in the Han Dynasty
PURPOSE
To glorify the actions of the early Han dynasty and show how effective their inventions were in minimizing human labor
SPEAKER
Someone hired by the government (“government sponsored”)
TONE
Shows appreciation for the accomplishments of the Han dynasty; glorifies them

8. Document 5 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Cicero is stating that the jobs of craftsmen and hired workers that work with hands are “vulgar” and unbecoming; says that gentlemen do not work with their hands
OCCASION
Italy, 1st century B.C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To distinguish between quality professions and vulgar professions
SPEAKER
Cicero, upper class Roman political leader
TONE
Lacks respect for inventions and inventors (craftsmen); technology is necessary, but not for enlightened minds

9. Document 6 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Plutarch is explaining Gaius Gracchus’ road building enterprises with special attention to their usefulness and aesthetics
OCCASION
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To show that the Roman upper class did appreciate technology that benefitted the upper class (no mention of how commoners benefitted; designed roads to specifically help those with horses)
SPEAKER
Plutarch, Greek born Roman citizen
TONE
Shows appreciation for the usefulness and aesthetics of Roman roads
Shows admiration for Gracchus’ hard work in road building

10. Document 7 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Seneca is stating that it takes someone nimble and sharp to make inventions, but these craftsmen are not the greatest minds of his day
OCCASION
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To differentiate between those who work with hands and those that work with minds
SPEAKER
Seneca, upper-class Roman philosopher and advisor to emperor Nero
TONE
Lacks respect for craftsmen (degrades their achievements and abilities)
Not concerned about hammers and tongs because as an upperclassmen, he would never use them

11. Document 8 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Frontinus praises Roman aqueducts and their uses in the city of Rome. He describes its intelligent design and how it benefits the public
OCCASION
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other Roman officials (so they can see that he is doing a good job as water commissioner)
PURPOSE
To glorify Roman aqueducts and their numerous benefits; to show Roman superiority over Egyptians and Greeks
SPEAKER
Frontinus, Roman general, governor of Britain, and water commissioner
TONE
Shows pride for Roman aqueducts and appreciates their practical and aesthetic nature
(keep in mind, he is the water commissioner for Rome – his job and income depends on the aqueducts)

12. Purpose of DBQ
Designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. You must write an essay that:
Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents
Uses all of the documents
Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many appropriate ways as possible. Does not simply summarize the documents individually
Takes into account the sources of the documents and analyzes the author’s point of view
Identifies and explains the need for at least one additional type of document

13. DBQ Question
Using the documents, analyze Han and Roman attitudes toward technology. Identify one additional type of document and explain briefly how it would help your analysis.
For each document, you need to ask yourself what attitude toward technology is being conveyed.

14. After Document Analysis…
Formulate a thesis statement
Make your groupings
Normally 3 groupings, but for this essay can do 2
Groupings decide organization of body paragraphs
Decide on a missing voice - who would provide better insight on Han and Roman attitudes about technology

15. THESIS STATEMENT

16. Point Values on Rubric
For 1 point, you need an acceptable thesis

17. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
Although the Han and Roman attitudes toward technology are different is some way, they are also alike.
Unacceptable thesis – merely restates the question and is too vague

18. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
In the Han and Roman empires, technology had the potential to elevate the standard of life, improve availability of water, make life easier with new tools, and make the cities more pleasing to live in.
Unacceptable thesis – summarizes the potential usefulness of technology, but does not address Han and Roman attitudes toward technology

19. As the creation of technology expanded, both the Han and Roman governments expressed their attitudes based on their encounters with technology.
Unacceptable thesis – does not explain what the attitudes were.

20. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
Government officials, common people, and philosophers all contributed to Han and Roman attitudes toward technology. Each empire held different views.
Unacceptable thesis – does not explain what the attitudes were.

21. Now you try…

22. Now you try…
The Han and Romans both felt technology was important. It created water systems which provided fresh water at a time when water was scarce and minimized human labor which increased efficiency. However they had different attitudes toward technology. The Hans respected technology and those who created it and they paid attention to the needs of the commoners. The Romans felt working with your hands was vulgar and minimized the importance of technology and those who used it.

23. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
Throughout China, there was a majority appreciation of technological advancement with a few against it, while in the Roman empire, the view was split between support and pessimism.
Acceptable thesis – Not especially strong, but meets criteria

24. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
The Han dynasty was proud of the efficiency and quality of their tools, as well as their ability to use technology to prevent natural disasters. On the other hand, the Romans marveled at their civilizations technological advancements, yet scorned those who made a living working with tools and crafts.
Acceptable thesis – excellent thesis with qualitative analysis

25. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
The Han dynasty emphasized efficiency in their tools, as well as using technology to prevent natural disasters. The Romans, however, marveled at their civilization’s advancements, yet refused to glorify those who work with tools and crafts.
Acceptable thesis – This better characterizes each empire’s attitude toward technology, along with comparing the two empires’ attitudes (which is not required)

26. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
Han China’s attitude toward manufacturing and labor was more open and positive than the Romans who had a more systematic and class divided society, therefore causing general attitudes toward labor and technology to be low.
Acceptable Thesis – This thesis summarizes, compare the differences in attitude, and even analyzes reasons behind those differences. (Eligible for expanded core)

27. GROUPINGS

28. Point Values on Rubric
For 1 point, analyzes documents by grouping them in at least two ways
Note that a single document cannot be a “group” but a single document can belong to more than one group

29. Common Document Groupings
Social class of author
Philosophers vs. officials
Pro-technology vs. con-technology
Role of government in relation to technology

30. TOPIC SENTENCES

31. Thesis
The Hans respected technology and those who created it and they paid attention to the needs of the commoners. The Romans felt working with your hands was vulgar and minimized the importance of technology and those who used it.

32. Topic Sentence
The Han Dynasty demonstrated an appreciation for technology and utilized it to make society run more efficiently. In addition, they felt it was the government’s role to ensure that adequate technology was provided for the common people.

33. Document 1 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Han official is ordering local officials on how to organize their labor force with use of technology in order to prevent disaster from floods
OCCASION
China, early 2nd century B.C.E.
AUDIENCE
Local Han officials
PURPOSE
To make sure the government is maintaining public works and controlling floods
To convey idea that technology is essential part of empire and requires government intervention
SPEAKER
Han government official
TONE
Shows concern for people and property; gives the impression that technology is there to aid the Chinese (urgent, straightforward/organized)

34. Example of understanding the document
During the early 2nd century B.C.E., a Han government official organized his labor force to use technology to prevent floods. (Doc. 1)

35. Example of applying the document to thesis
During the early 2nd century B.C.E., a Han government official organized his labor force to use technology to prevent floods. (Doc. 1) He shows concern for the common people and conveys the idea that technology is an essential part of the empire and requires government intervention.

36. What do you think of the following thesis statements?
The Han dynasty was proud of the efficiency and quality of their tools, as well as their ability to use technology to prevent natural disasters. On the other hand, the Romans marveled at their civilizations technological advancements, yet scorned those who made a living working with tools and crafts.
Acceptable thesis – excellent thesis with qualitative analysis

37. USE OF DOCUMENTS

38. Point Values on Rubric
For 1 point, you need to address all the documents and demonstrates understanding of all or all but one
Listing the documents separately or listing the documents as part of a group does not sufficiently demonstrate an understanding of basic meaning

39. Addressing Documents
Rather than trying to state a document’s meaning, you should use your understanding of the document to make an argument or conclusion.
One’s correct understanding of a document’s meaning will be clear when using that document to make an argument.

40. Point Values on Rubric
For 2 points, you need to support thesis with appropriate evidence from all or all but one document (7 or 8 documents)
For 1 of these 2 points, you need to support thesis with appropriate evidence from 6 documents

41. Point Values on Rubric
Don’t start sentences or paragraphs with “Document #___ says”
Doing this is setting yourself up for a summary or paraphrasing of a document

42. Example of understanding the document
Huan Guan, a Han government official during the first century B.C.E., was concerned about the problems that lack of technology and poor government policy was having on the people. (Doc. 2)

43. Example of supporting a thesis with a document
Huan Guan embodies the Confucian Han view that technology is good, as long as the government uses technology to benefit the people. Crude or brittle tools are of no help, and reflect poorly on the government.

44. Example of showing POV
This is interesting because although you would expect a Han government official to praise the current government and its decisions, Huan Guan is instead opposed to the current government and shows concern for the peasants.

45. POINT OF VIEW

46. Point of View Think about the author
Background – class, gender, ethnicity, occupation
Why would this person have the POV expressed?
Think about the place and time period?
What is going on in that place during that time that would influence the author’s POV?

47. Point Values on Rubric
For 1 point, analyzes point of view in at least 4 documents
To analyze POV:
Explains why a particular person has particular opinion
You can do this by considering or explaining tone, background of author, intended audience, etc.

48. MISSING VOICE

49. Point Value on Rubric
For 1 point, identifies and explains the need for one type of additional document
Must explain how this missing document would help contribute to an analysis of Han and/or Roman attitudes toward technology

50. Additional Document/ Missing Voice Paragraph
Once your body paragraphs with analysis of groupings are complete, add paragraph for the missing voice (what additional document would have been beneficial to include?)
A point of view that is not represented that would aid in the discussion of Han and Roman attitudes toward technology would be from that of…

51. 1st Paragraph - Thesis Background/context
During the Classical era, the Han Empire of China and the Roman Empire of the Mediterranean World were technologically advanced civilizations.
Thesis

52. Body Paragraphs - Groupings
Topic sentence (what characteristics do these documents share and how does that support the thesis?)
Evidence Doc #1 (how does document support topic/thesis?)
POV/Analysis
Evidence Doc #2 (how does document support topic/thesis?)
Evidence Doc #3 (how does document support topic/thesis?)

53. When Referring to a Document
You must paraphrase the document and then cite it
(Doc. #____)
Use the Author and the Name of the Work to refer to a document
John Smith in his book The History of the World said…
Never write “In Document One…”

54. Conclusion / Analysis Paragraph #4
Reword your thesis and give a summation of your argument
Do analyze
Do not cite documents