Dynastic Cycle
Ruling Dynasty loses
the Mandate of Heaven
New Dynasty claims
the Mandate of
Heaven
Generations go by,
New Dynasty becomes
the Old Dynasty
Dynastic Cycle
New Dynasty
•Claims the Mandate of Heaven
•Defeat of old ruling family
•Brings peace and prosperity
•Population increases
•Mandate of Heaven creates loyalty
•(Re)builds public works
•Gives land to the peasants
•Protects the people
Old Dynasty loses the Mandate of
Heaven
•Natural events: floods, famine,
earthquakes, etc.
•Bandits raid the countryside
•Invaders attack the empire
•Tax collections grow smaller
•Nobles begin to seize power
•Peasants revolt as dynasty
loses the Mandate of Heaven
Generations go by, New Dynasty
becomes the Old Dynasty
Old Dynasty
•Less able rulers come to power
•Officials and bureaucrats become
corrupt
•Taxes people too much
•Not enough taxes to defend
kingdom and repair/build public
works
•Public works neglected and decay
•Stop protecting people
•Treat people unfairly
Dynastic Cycle
Ruling Dynasty loses the
Mandate of Heaven
•Civil war as nobles rebel against royal
family
•Rebellion helped by the army and the
peasants
•Defeat of royal family
Dynastic Cycle
New Dynasty
•Brings peace and prosperity
•Population increases
•Mandate of Heaven creates loyalty
•(Re)builds public works
•Gives land to the peasants
•Protects the people
Generations go by, New Dynasty
becomes the Old Dynasty
Dynastic Cycle
•Less able rulers come to power
•Officials and bureaucrats become
corrupt
•Taxes people too much
•Not enough taxes to defend kingdom
and repair/build public works
•Public works neglected and decay
•Stop protecting people
•Treat people unfairly
Dynasty loses the Mandate of
Heaven
Dynastic Cycle
Old Dynasty loses the Mandate of
Heaven:
•Natural events: floods, famine,
earthquakes, etc.
•Bandits raid the countryside
•Invaders attack the empire
•Tax collections grow smaller
•Nobles begin to seize power
•Peasants revolt as dynasty loses the
Mandate of Heaven
New Dynasty claims the
Mandate of Heaven
Dynastic Cycle