AP Success - AP World History: Cheng Hao's Critique of New Laws
Remonstrance Against the New Laws, Cheng Hao"The mind of Your Majesty does not hesitate to make a change; it is only the minister in charge of the government who still persists in his obstinacy. Thus the people’s feelings are greatly agitated and public opinion becomes more clamorous. If one insists on carrying these policies out, certain failure awaits them in the end. ... Rather than pursue one mistaken policy at the expense of a hundred other undertakings, would it not be better to bestow a grand favor and reassure the people’s minds by doing away with the disturbances caused by those sent out to enforce these decrees and by manifesting your humanity to the extent of abolishing the interest charged on the crop loans? "
Question 1
Based on the source, Cheng Hao's primary concern with the New Laws was that they:
would lead to an increase in the power of the minister in charge.
caused public unrest and could lead to policy failure.
would result in a decrease in the emperor's authority over the state.
were not being enforced strictly enough by the government officials.
Question 2
The tone of Cheng Hao's remonstrance suggests that he believed the emperor:
had no interest in the welfare of the people and ignored public opinion.
was open to change and could be persuaded to alter his policies.
was inflexible and unwilling to listen to advice from his ministers.
was too influenced by the ministers and lacked independent judgment.
Question 3
Cheng Hao's recommendation to 'bestow a grand favor' by 'abolishing the interest charged on the crop loans' implies that he:
advocated for the expansion of state control over crop production.
urged the emperor to implement stricter financial regulations.
sought to alleviate the financial burden on the populace.
wanted to increase state revenue through agricultural taxation.
Question 4
The phrase 'the disturbances caused by those sent out to enforce these decrees' indicates that the New Laws:
led to a peaceful and orderly implementation of policy changes.
were widely accepted by the people without any opposition.
were met with resistance and possibly led to conflict.
required the establishment of new governmental institutions.
Question 5
Cheng Hao's argument reflects a broader historical trend in which government officials:
often played a role in advising rulers and shaping policy.
focused primarily on military conquests rather than domestic policies.
were typically isolated from the concerns and opinions of the general populace.
rarely interfered with the decisions made by the emperor.
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