Answer All Of The Following Questions Part One

Answer All Of the Following Questions1part Onemuch Of the Maya Reco

Answer All Of the Following Questions1part Onemuch Of the Maya Reco

Answer ALL of the following questions: 1. Part One: Much of the Maya records were destroyed by the Spanish in the sixteenth century. One Catholic monk bent on destroying the manuscripts also recorded their life in his own writings. Read the following account and then describe what we know about Maya government and administration based on the description: The chiefs agreed that for the permanence of the state the house of the Cocoms [leader] should exercise the chief authority. They ordained that within the enclosure there should only be temples and residences of the chiefs; that they should build outside the walls dwellings where each of them might keep some serving people, and where the people from the villages might come whenever they had business at the city.

Officers held supervision over the villages and those in charge of them, to whom he sent advices as to the things needed in the chief's establishment, such as birds, maize, honey, salt, fish, game, clothing, and other things. It was the custom of these officers to hunt out the crippled and the blind in the villages, and give them their necessities. The chiefs appointed the governors and, if worthy, confirmed their offices to their sons. They enjoined upon them good treatment of the common people, the peace of the community, and that all should be diligent in their own support and that of the lords. Diego de Landa, & William Gates. (n.d.). Yucatan Before and After the Conquest Retrieved from

Question: How would you characterize the Maya government administration based on this passage? Please write at least three sentences:

Paper For Above instruction

The Maya government, as described in the account, was a hierarchical and centralized political structure with clear divisions of authority. The house of the Cocom (the chief or leader) held the chief authority, and within the city walls, only temples and residences of the chiefs were permitted, indicating a separation of political and religious power. Outside the city, residences were allocated for chiefs and their retainers, with monitored supervision over village affairs by designated officers who ensured the supply of necessities and oversight of the populace. The appointment and confirmation of governors, often passing to worthy sons, suggest a dynastic political system emphasizing continuity and proper conduct, with a focus on maintaining community peace and wellbeing. This system reflects a well-organized political order designed to sustain stability and social cohesion across the Maya city-states.

Part Two

Chinese and Mongolian Empires Administration Summaries

• China Ch'in: The Qin Empire employed a highly centralized bureaucratic system with standardized laws, weights, measures, and a network of appointed officials to maintain strict control over vast territories.
• Han: The Han dynasty expanded upon the Qin system by establishing a civil service based on Confucian principles, with merit-based examinations to select officials and promote good governance.
• Sui: The Sui dynasty focused on consolidating power through a centralized bureaucracy, along with large infrastructure projects like the Grand Canal, that improved administrative cohesion.
• Tang: The Tang dynasty perfected a hierarchical bureaucratic system with a well-organized civil service examination system, facilitating effective governance across expansive regions.
• India Mauryan: The Mauryan Empire utilized a centralized administrative approach with provincial governors, a secretariat, and a large spy network to maintain control over diverse populations.
• Gupta: The Gupta Empire exercised a decentralized governance model, with local rulers and village councils managing day-to-day affairs, but with overarching imperial authority guiding policy.
• Mobile Peoples Huns: The Huns lacked a formal, cohesive administrative system, relying on military strength and alliances, leading to chaos and weak governance.
• Mongols: The Mongol Empire implemented a flexible and pragmatic administrative system, often incorporating local leaders and customs while maintaining centralized control through appointees like tax collectors and military leaders.

Part Three

The success of Asian empires in administering governments across their vast territories varied depending on their approaches to decentralization, meritocracy, and integration of local elites. Empires such as the Han Chinese and Tang dynasties demonstrated high administrative efficiency through standardized bureaucratic systems, extensive civil service examinations, and central authority structures. These strategies fostered stability, facilitated communication across vast distances, and promoted social cohesion, which contributed to long-lasting imperial rule. Conversely, the Mongol Empire's adaptive approach exemplified pragmatic governance by incorporating local leaders and customs, enabling them to control a sprawling and culturally diverse population effectively. The Mauryan Empire's centralized model relied heavily on provincial governors and surveillance, ensuring control but occasionally leading to resistance and unrest. On the other hand, the Huns' fragmented and military-focused approach often resulted in chaos and instability, highlighting that a lack of cohesive administrative structure diminished sustainable governance. Overall, the most successful strategies emphasized balancing central authority with local autonomy and merit-based appointments, lessons that remain relevant for contemporary governance models.

References

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