Han and Roman Views on Technology Dbq

People in the Han and Roman dynasties expressed their necessity for technology in assisting labor. In the Han dynasty, technology controlled the destruction of the Yellow River and appeased the peasants by providing an easier lifestyle. During the Roman Dynasty, technology assists in daily life for the building of public works along with the life of lower-class inhabitants. A document that would aid in describing the attitude towards technology would be a private letter from a peasant or low-class citizen, conveying his position on the use of technology.
      In the ancient Han Dynasty, technology subdued the strenuous workload of the average peasant, creating a positive attitude towards technology. It assisted the peasants by not only providing efficient tools for cultivating crops, but also controlling the destruction of land caused by the Yellow River. In “The History of the Early Han Dynasty,” technology was described as allowing people to enjoy great benefit from little labor. This statement does bring speculation because the source is a government-sponsored history, and the wonders of the dynasty may have been embellished. Yet technology proves to be appreciated because it settles the constantly growing animosity by the peasants during the Han dynasty. Technology was valued so intensively; Document 3 associates the advancement of technology with the mythological wise emperor. Thus technology is respected because a positive mythological emperor is shown creating the mortar and pestle, which advances technology. This is similar to the praise of the first emperor of The Xia Dynasty, who gained respect for his ability to control the Yellow River. Advancement in technology was not solely for cultivation of crops, but also the restriction of flooding. The Yellow River caused constant destruction. A Han official, writing a letter to local officials about flood prevention, advocates extensive technology to restrain flooding. This point of view may be affected by...