Zhou Dynasty The Mandate of Heaven is a philosophy that confirms a worthy ruler or condemns him in China. It is the idea that if a ruler is strong in his duties, and takes care of his responsibilities to his people, then Heaven shall bless him and aid him. If he is cruel, unkind, or incompetent, then Heaven shall remove its blessing upon him and and he shall suffer alone.

Zhou Dynasty Ruling the proper way was called the Dao His duty was to keep the gods happy The Mandate to heaven gave people the right to overthrow a ruler who was evil or dishonest.

Zhou Dynasty Tools & Trade Developed irrigation and flooding control systems 550 BC were using iron plows Important Trade item was silk

Zhou Dynasty Decline of the Zhou Over time local rulers of the Zhou dynasty became powerful. Stopped obeying Zhou kings setting up their own states.

Zhou Dynasty Decline of the Zhou 403 BC fighting and war breaks out among the rulers for 200 years

Zhou Dynasty Decline of the Zhou The Warring States Period takes place from sometime in the 5th century BC to the unification of China by Qin in 221 BC.

Zhou Dynasty Decline of the Zhou Warring states used large armies of foot soldiers Peasants were forced to serve in the army

Zhou Dynasty Decline of the Zhou Armies used crossbows, swords, and spears. Eventually the Chinese invented saddles and stirrups to use on horses.

Zhou Dynasty Decline of the Zhou 221 BC the ruler of the Qin (Chin) used a large cavalry to defeat the other states and set up the Qin Dynasty

Review What were oracles bones and how were they used? How did the Mandate of Heaven allow for the overthrow of kings in ancient China? How did Ancient kings maintain control of their dynasties? During the fall of the Zhou and the Period of the Warring States what invention led to the use of cavalries?