1. Zhou Dynasty
1027-256 B.C.E
Textbook pages 80-82

2. 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

5. 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 rule
theory= rulers gained power by heaven, and kept
power by governing properly
Natural disasters, famine, war= ruler lost Mandate of
Heaven

6. MANDATE OF HEAVEN

8. Feudal State
• Feudal state similar to Shang
• Land divided into territories, that were ruled by lords

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

11. 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

12. Culture
• Adopted Shang culture, but not as skilled
• But because of Zhou Dynasty’s long rule, Chinese
culture and technology developed to new heights

14. 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

18. 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.