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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.
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