The Zhou Dynasty
The Mandate of Heaven
Feudalism
The Dynastic Cycle
The Zhou Dynasty
 The Zhou lasted from about 1045BCE to 256BCE
 They overthrew the Shang by force
The Zhou Dynasty
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The Zhou would rule China for several centuries.
The Zhou dynasty is divided into two periods.
During the Western Zhou, kings ruled in a peaceful period.
Later conflict arose, kings moved east beginning the Eastern Zhou
period.
Government
• When Zhou conquered Shang,
leaders worried Chinese people
would not accept them
• Introduced idea they ruled by
Mandate of Heaven
• Gods would support just ruler, not
allow anyone corrupt to hold power
• Zhou grew strong on a system of
relationships called Feudalism
Dynastic Cycle
• Zhou said Shang overthrown
because they lost gods’ favor
• Later rulers used Mandate of
Heaven to explain dynastic cycle,
rise and fall of dynasties in China
• If dynasty lost power, it obviously
had become corrupt
Feudalism
King/Emperor
Owns all of
the land
Holds
supreme
power over
everyone
Receives
crops from
Lords
Lords (Loyal
Supporters)
Rules land
and Serfs
Provides
protection for
Serfs
Sends soldiers
to fight for
King
Peasant
Farmers (Serfs)
Farm the land
and keep some
food
Gave food to
Lords for
protection
The Dynastic Cycle
A New Dynasty Rises
 A strong local ruler defeats the others
 He often adds land beyond China’s border
The New Dynasty Rules
 It restores peace
 It chooses local officials
 It makes reforms
The Dynasty Grows Weak
 Its rulers don’t do the hard work of running an empire
 They lose control of the provinces
 They cant cope with famines, earthquakes, and
invasions
The Dynasty Falls
 Rebellions put an end to the weakened dynasty
A Period of Violence Follows
(WARRING STATES PERIOD)
 Local rulers fight for power
The Dynastic Cycle
 How do you get out of the Warring States Period?
 How does the local ruler gain the power?
 What makes the Chinese people accept the new
dynastic ruler?
The Chinese Philosophies!!!
Confucianism
Daoism (Taoism)
Legalism