Mya Laliberte's High School Portfolio

Mya Laliberte

1/9/19

Gaining and maintaining power, the desire for power is wanting to control others behavior. This is a significant enduring issue because, in order to stay successful with power you need to be able to gain and maintain it in a certain way, as shown in. “The Records of the Grand Historian, Sima Qian,” through eliminating other ideas, giving Shi Huangdi success because he is in complete control, but ultimately leading to him losing it. The Romans road system, through a strong military and being connected, this leads to success because you are able to withstand outside threats . The elements of an autocrat, taking complete power and control, which can lead to success because of the absolute control, but can also be bad, because you aren’t open to anyone’s ideas but your own . And the creation of the Nazi protection squad, through violence and fear, which isn’t a good way to rule, because you have control through fear.

Document 4, from the, “NYS Global History and Geography Regents exam, June, 2012.” Shows how an autocrat, a ruler with absolute power, can maintain it after it’s gained, through complete control over everything. Power can be maintained by having a strong military, a set of common laws, control over religious authorities, limiting the amount of power others have, and having initiatives to better the place you rule. All these factors help maintain power after it is gained because, the autocrat has complete control to do what he wants.

Document 1, an excerpt from, “The Records of the Grand Historian.” Shows how Shi Huangdi maintained and gained power through violence. After he took control by eliminating all threats to his power. During Shi Huangdi’s rule there were a lot of scholars thinking of new, unique ideas that threatened his power. He was worried this would influence others and his power would weaken. In efforts to maintain his power in 213 BCE, he ordered the “Burning of the books.” Shi Huangdi’s Grand Counselor wrote an excerpt proposing that, all records of new ideas should be burned. This document has bias, Li Si supported Shi Huangdi, because he worked closely with him, and they shared the same values . Anyone in possession of these books will give them up to be burned. If you quote the, “old songs,” you will be publicly executed.If you oppose his ideas and listen to new ones your family will be killed. Any officers aware of opposition that do not come forward will be punished too. This shows that Shi Huangdi maintained his power through violence and dictatorship, eliminating all outside thought, and forcing others to listen to him. Which can give him success, but will ultimately lead to his fall because he pushes away new ideas, preventing culture to grow.

Document 2 a map from, “http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:hispania_roads.svg” shows the road systems the Romans built throughout Rome. The roads were mainly built for military purposes, and economic benefit. They were later used for civilians but, their purpose for military use stayed vital for Rome’s military success. As shown on the Map in document 2 the roads throughout Rome were all connected. Making it easy for people and military to travel, and making it easy to trade and transport goods. Though in the future these roads could be used  for foreign invaders to threaten Rome, and allow a easy way to spread new philosophies and religion, overall threatening Rome’s power. These road systems played a vital role in Rome’s success at gaining and maintaining their power, through a strong military, and overall being connected. But could also prevent them from success and having complete control, because the roads led to free travel.

Document 5 a wikipedia article, “1938 – The Nazi SS in a Parade,” shows how Hitler and the Nazi’s gained and maintained their power through violence, creating fear in the people they had control over. In 1934, an organization to protect Nazi leaders, including Hitler was formed. It was called the, Nazi Protective Squad (SS). The SS later became a private army for the Nazi’s. They would arrest and murder political opponents, and ultimately destroy anyone or anything that opposed them. Hitler and the Nazi’s gained power through violence, and maintained their power through violence, and instilling fear in others, preventing them from growing and thriving in positive ways. Ultimately preventing them from thriving and having success, because fear and dictatorship are not a good way to have healthy long lasting power.

Desire for power and maintaining power, has been a significant enduring issue throughout history. As shown in, “The Records of the Grand Historian, Sima Qian,” through eliminating other ideas. The Romans road system, through a strong military and being connected. The elements of an autocrat, taking complete power and control. And the creation of the Nazi protection squad, through violence and fear. The way power is gained and maintained has affected people throughout history, in good and bad ways. Through dictatorship, violence and eliminating outside ideas and opposition, shown in the Qin dynasty with Shi Huangdi, and with Hitler and the Nazi’s. A strong military, staying connected, shown through the Roman empire. And having complete control, shown through autocrats. The way you gain power and maintain it will decide if you will thrive or fall, shown throughout history.