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The Zhou Dynasty
By Paul Zanotti and Matt
Dziadosz
Date of Dynasty’s Rule
• The Zhou Dynasty is divided
into two periods…
• The Western Zhou: 11th century
BC to 771 BC
• The Eastern Zhou: 770 BC to
476 BC
• Lasted about 900 years
• Longest Chinese Dynasty
Important Leaders of
the Zhou Dynasty
• King Wen established the plan to defeat the Shang
• King Wen’s son, King Wu defeated the Shang and
established the Western Zhou dynasty in 1046 BC
• China became prosperous under the rule of King
Cheng, the son of King Wen
• King Kang, King Zhao, King Mu, and some other
Kings helped maintain the prosperity of the country
• A tyrant, King Li was overthrown and exiled by the
people
• Gong Hebo was elected in 841 BC to lead
• The country went in a steady decline until The
Western Zhou Dynasty was lost in 771 BC under the
rule of King You
Achievements
• Chinese philosopher, Confucius,
started Confucianism- a moral guide
for Chinese people
• Advancements in iron technology,
agriculture, and literature
• Iron, ox-drawn plows, crossbows, and
horseback riding were introduced
• Large-scale irrigation projects were
instituted
• Chinese writing system was further
developed
Notable Events
• The overthrow of King Li is
recorded as China’s first
recorded peasant rebellion
• 771 BC end of Western and
beginning of Eastern Zhou
dynasty
• Eastern Zhou Dynasty was divided
into the Spring and Autumn period
and the Warring States period
Contact with Other
Cultures
• Zhou dynasty is compared to medieval Europe
• Government system was the same…land
was divided into states.
• The most powerful government officials
were always eager for more power.
• Controlled most of Asia
• States had walls built around them
• Besides some trading, contact was not made
between cultures
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