Which of the following statements reflects a Confucian value that influenced Tang and songs dynasties?
A. Merchants had lower social status than peasants.
B. Only the gentry could hold government office .
C. Girls were valued more highly than boys.
D. Position in government was based on military service.
My answer is..B?
Yes, your answer is correct. The statement that reflects a Confucian value that influenced the Tang and Song dynasties is B. Only the gentry could hold government office.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the Confucian values that influenced these dynasties. Confucianism, a philosophy developed by Confucius, placed a strong emphasis on social hierarchy and the moral behavior of individuals within society. According to Confucian principles, society should be organized based on virtue, with the gentry being the ideal class to hold government office.
During the Tang and Song dynasties, Confucian thought strongly influenced the ruling class. The gentry class, consisting of scholars, officials, and aristocrats, was considered to have the knowledge and moral character required for governing. As a result, Confucianism had a significant impact on the selection and recruitment of government officials. Only individuals from the gentry class were eligible to hold government office, ensuring that Confucian values were upheld in the political sphere.
Therefore, option B, "Only the gentry could hold government office," reflects the Confucian value that influenced the Tang and Song dynasties.