The Mandate of HeavenThe Mandate of Heaven

The right to rule is The right to rule is granted by Heaven. granted by Heaven.

It is based on the virtue It is based on the virtue of the ruler i.e. while they of the ruler i.e. while they rule justly, fairly, & wisely. rule justly, fairly, & wisely.

The right to rule is not The right to rule is not limited to one dynasty.limited to one dynasty.

Justifies rebellion as long Justifies rebellion as long as the rebellion is as the rebellion is successful. successful.

Dynastic CycleDynastic CycleThe New DynastyThe New DynastyClaims the Mandate of HeavenRestores peace & orderAppoints loyal officialsRedistributes land to peasantsBuilds & repairs infrastructure

The Aging DynastyNeglects dutiesIgnores corruptionImposes heavy taxes to pay for luxuriesAllows infrastructure to decay

The Old Dynasty loses the Mandate

of Heaven

ProblemsFloods, famine, earthquakesInvasions, peasant revoltsArmed bandits

Ruling FamiliesRuling Families

Shang Dynasty 1766-1046 BCShang Dynasty 1766-1046 BC Zhou Dynasty 1122-256 BCZhou Dynasty 1122-256 BC Qin Dynasty 221-206 BCQin Dynasty 221-206 BC Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD Song Dynasty 969-1279 AD Song Dynasty 969-1279 AD Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368 AD Yuan Dynasty 1279-1368 AD Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 AD Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 AD

The Shang DynastyThe Shang Dynasty

1766-10461766-1046 BCBC

The first ruling family in ChinaThe first ruling family in China

ReligionReligion Believed nature was Believed nature was

controlled by gods & controlled by gods & spirits.spirits.

King & priests made daily King & priests made daily offerings to the gods.offerings to the gods.

King could call on his King could call on his ancestors to help ancestors to help influence the gods.influence the gods.

This leads to the practice This leads to the practice of ancestor worship.of ancestor worship.

AchievementsAchievements Writing system- 1 of 4 Writing system- 1 of 4

independently developedindependently developed pictogram system with pictogram system with

60,000 characters60,000 characters Bronze- weapons, armor, Bronze- weapons, armor,

& ceremonial vessels& ceremonial vessels Yoke, harness, spoked Yoke, harness, spoked

wheel, horse drawn wheel, horse drawn chariotschariots

Decimal system, first Decimal system, first money systemsmoney systems

DownfallDownfall The last Shang kings The last Shang kings

known as cruel & known as cruel & corrupt tyrantscorrupt tyrants

Built luxurious Built luxurious palaces & led a life of palaces & led a life of decadencedecadence

The Zhou overthrew The Zhou overthrew the last Shang kingthe last Shang king

Mandate of Heaven Mandate of Heaven created to explain the created to explain the takeovertakeover