Zhou Dynasty1027-256 B.C.E

Textbook pages 80-82

Zhou Conquers Shang

• 1027- around this time, Zhou replaced Shang Dynasty

• Zhou defended their attack on the Shang said the Shang lost the Mandate of Heaven

• Mandate of Heaven: idea that the emperor, the son of Heaven, has the support of the gods, as long as he rules correctly

Mandate of Heaven

• Chinese myth-• China’s first ruler thought to be son of the sky

god and an earthly mother• His kids= Sons of Heaven• Became an important theory about the right of

rulers to ruletheory= rulers gained power by heaven, and

kept power by governing properlyNatural disasters, famine, war= ruler lost

Mandate of Heaven

MANDATE OF HEAVEN

Feudal State

• Feudal state similar to Shang• Land divided into territories, that were ruled

by lords

China Grows

• Zhou extended Chinese boundaries through central China• As far south as Chang Jiang River

Social Classes

• Two classes: upper and lower• Upper class: kings and lords• Lower class: peasants, merchants, and

artisans

• Monarchs acted as priest• Ancestor worship, important agricultural

ceremonies

Culture

• Adopted Shang culture, but not as skilled• But because of Zhou Dynasty’s long rule,

Chinese culture and technology developed to new heights

Public Works

• Ambitious public works projects• Irrigation projects= increased food grown• Roads & canals= easier travel• Wall across north= protection from nomadic

people• Bronze making= changes in design• Iron use= introduced and used for agricultural

tools & military weapons• Money use= introduced • Writing= improved; took on its modern character;

first Chinese books written

Political Unrest

• Zhou gradually lost control of the kingdom• Lords rebelled against king• 770 B.C.E- king fled east & established new capital at

Luoyang• Zhou kings eventually lost political and military control• Stayed on as priests

• Lords fought each other, trying to increase territories

• 481- 256 B.C.E.- Warring States period

• Three important schools of thought develop

• Zhou kept power until 256 B.C.E.