Which of these statements best assesses the contributions of the Code of Hammurabi to U.S. political thought? (1 point)
A. The Code of Hammurabi contributed to the U.S. political thought because the Supreme Court still uses this code today to rule on cases.
B. The Code of Hammurabi contributed to the U.S. political thought because Hammurabi was the first leader of the U.S. and he brought his code with him.
C. The Code of Hammurabi contributed to the U.S. political thought because the philosophers of England, France, and East Asia used it in all of their political writing.
D. The Code of Hammurabi contributed to the U.S. political thought as an example of how uniform written rules could promote a flourishing society.
D. The Code of Hammurabi contributed to the U.S. political thought as an example of how uniform written rules could promote a flourishing society.
D. The Code of Hammurabi contributed to the U.S. political thought as an example of how uniform written rules could promote a flourishing society.
To determine which statement best assesses the contributions of the Code of Hammurabi to U.S. political thought, we can break down each statement and evaluate its accuracy and relevance.
A. The statement suggests that the Supreme Court still uses the Code of Hammurabi today to rule on cases. However, this is not accurate. The Code of Hammurabi is an ancient Babylonian legal code that dates back to around 1754 BC, while the U.S. Supreme Court operates within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and the laws established by the American legal system. Therefore, statement A is incorrect.
B. The statement suggests that Hammurabi was the first leader of the United States and brought his code with him. However, this is historically inaccurate. The Code of Hammurabi predates the existence of the United States by thousands of years, and Hammurabi was the king of Babylon, not the leader of the United States. Therefore, statement B is incorrect.
C. The statement suggests that the philosophers of England, France, and East Asia used the Code of Hammurabi in all of their political writing. While it is true that the Code of Hammurabi influenced legal systems and political thought in various ancient societies, there is no definitive evidence to support the claim that it was extensively used by philosophers in England, France, and East Asia. Therefore, statement C is speculative and lacks concrete evidence.
D. The statement suggests that the Code of Hammurabi contributed to U.S. political thought as an example of how uniform written rules could promote a flourishing society. This statement is accurate and relevant. The Code of Hammurabi is widely recognized as one of the earliest-known legal codes that focused on establishing clear rules and standards for society. Its emphasis on written laws and the concept of legal responsibility influenced subsequent legal systems around the world, including those in the United States. Therefore, statement D is the most accurate and relevant assessment of the contributions of the Code of Hammurabi to U.S. political thought.
Based on this analysis, the correct option would be D.