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The Zhou (JOH) Dynasty 1027 BC – 256 BC In 1027 BC, the kingdom of Zhou rebels and overthrows the Shang Civilization’s rulers. However, rebellion is an illegal act. To justify this rebellion, the Zhou invented the concept of the: Dynastic Cycle THE NEW DYNASTY AGING DYNASTY -Brings peace -Taxes too much -Builds roads and canals Several generations -Stops protecting people -Neglects government duties -Gives land to peasants -Protects people -Becomes corrupt Problems New Dynasty overthrows old dynasty and claims the Mandate of Heaven -Natural disasters -Peasant revolts Aging Dynasty loses the Mandate of Heaven -Invaders attack -lawlessness • The Mandate of Heaven is the concept that the gods choose whom they want to rule the country. • In general, peace and prosperity in the kingdom was seen as a sign that the gods still backed your rule. •Floods, famine and other catastrophes were signs that the dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven. • Future dynasties will use it as a convenient excuse to justify their rebellions. Zhou Government To maintain their power, the Zhou rulers would give large pieces of land to wealthy families that supported them. This can be seen as a type of feudalism Feudalism Theme: Political Systems and citizenship A system of government where a single ruler, usually a king, give land and local control of government to people in exchange for loyalty. Example: Zhou Dynasty, China; Middle Ages, Europe, Feudal Japan In theory, Zhou government looks like this: Son of Heaven (Zhou King) Lord Lord Lord Peasants Peasants Peasants Zhou Achievements: • See packet. Zhou Dynasty & The Warring States Period -The Fall of the Zhou The Warring States Period lasts from 480-222BC Technically, it is still the Zhou Dynasty, BUT, by this time, the kings of Zhou have lost all their power and are now just one more state competing for power. Hundreds of small states begin to war with each other for control of China Bigger states conquer and absorb smaller states China is engulfed in constant civil war The state of Zhou, while powerful, is a constant target for many of the other states. Eventually, the state of Zhou will be defeated. By conquering each other, the many states are reduced to a small few. In the end, one state, Qin (CHIN), triumphs over all the others and unifies China for the first time. However, the period of Warring States was also a time of deep intellectual thought as many different philosophers tried to develop solutions to end the chaos that had engulfed all of China.