AP World History DBQ

After reviewing these documents it is clear that the Roman’s and Han’s attitudes towards technology differed from person to person. For the most part, Romans disapproved of new tools that were being invented, unimpressed by hammers and tongs, they thought tools were useless and made people indolent. On the other hand, most Hans thought technology was a wonderful thing, making peoples lives easier and completing tasks faster. To better understand the Roman and Han impression on technology, one must understand their opinions and situations regarding the use of new tools and other technological advances. The Romans challenged the efficiency of basic tools that were invented. In document one, Cicero, an upper-class Roman political leader, states that “all craftsmen spend their time in vulgar occupations; no workshop can have anything enlightening about it.” What Cicero mean by this is that the people who make tools lack sophistication and that workshops can not, in any way, be useful. In document seven, Seneca, an upper-class Roman Philosopher and adviser to Empor Nero, believed that tools were “invented by someone with a mind that was nimble and sharp, but not great or elevated.” He believed tools were a clever, but there were other things that are way more important. The Han on the other hand, see concurred with technology and believed it was a great benefit to society. In document 3, Huan Tan said then the pestle and the mortar “increase[ed] efficiency times” once it was improved. Once the power and animals and the power of water was added, “the benefit was increased a hundredfold.” In History of the Early Han Dynasty, according to Document 4, Tu Shih invented a water-powered-blowing-engine because he “wished to save [peoples’] labor.” It was widely spread and used. The Roman weren’t too happy with technology and didn’t care much for tools. The Han saw technology as a wonderful thing to help them with everyday life.