China under the Zhou Dynasty Ancient China Section 2

The Zhou Dynasty Around 1050 B.C., a group called the Zhou (joh) attacked the Shang kingdom from the west. They overthrew the Shang ruler and established a new dynasty. The Zhou dynasty ruled for about 800 years. For much of the second half of that rule, however, the Zhou struggled to keep its large kingdom united.

The Rise and Fall of the Zhou Most of what is known or been discovered about the fall of the Shang kingdom comes from written sources during the Zhou rule. According to these sources, the Zhou gained power because the Shang kings had grown corrupt. The last Shang king did a bad job of governing his people started to hate him for it. He only cared about his own enjoyment. When the Zhou attacked the Shang, many Shang warriors refused to fight. They surrendered and accepted the Zhou king as their ruler.

The Right to Rule After the Zhou took power, they declared that their success was due to the support coming from heaven. In their view, heaven was the highest force of nature that gave dynasties the right to rule. They called this right to rule the Mandate of Heaven. If a dynasty failed to act properly, it would lose this right. The Mandate of Heaven permitted a leader to seize or take control by force, if necessary. Victory would serve as proof that heaven supported the change in leadership.

The Right to Rule To stay in power, the rulers of the new dynasty, would have to act virtuously. They would have to be kind and just and serve the interest of the people. The concept of the Mandate of Heaven became a tradition of Chinese government, Under this tradition, the ruler was called the Son of Heaven. If he performed his role well, there would be harmony between heaven and earth.

Book of History One ancient Chinese source, the Book of History, explains why Zhou kings received the Mandate of Heaven. “…..our kings of Zhou treated the people well…..and presided over services to spirits and to Heaven. Heaven therefore instructed the Zhou kings, chose them……. And gave them the decree to rule.”

The Right to Rule Emperors had to care for their people and stop corruption. Uprisings and natural disasters were seen as possible omens that the current dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven.

Governing the Zhou The Zhou expanded its land through conquest. At its height, the Zhou ruled territory that reached to the Chang River. This large kingdom included many different cultures. To keep control, the king placed family members in charge of individual regions or states. Over time, the ties between the Zhou king and local nobles weakened.

Governing the Zhou In 771 B.C.E., a group of nobles joined with nomadic-invaders to try and overthrow the Zhou king. With help from other nobles, the Zhou survived the attack, but from that point on, the power of the Zhou kings was weak and dependent on those nobles who helped them to stay in power. States tied to the Zhou became more independent and fighting broke out between warlords. Warlords are military rulers of small states. Although these warlords claimed loyalty to the king, they often really hoped to gain power for themselves.

The Warring States Eventually, minor battles escalated into full-scale warfare. China would enter an era of chaos- total disorder and confusion. From about 475 B.C.E. to 221 B.C.E., this era became know as the Warring States period. Brutal and destructive conflict marked the period. Battles ravaged the countryside and millions of people died.

The Warring States Stronger states conquered weaker ones. Over time, a few large states emerged. Loyalty to the Zhou dynasty disappeared and in 256 B.C.E., the last Zhou ruler was overthrown. However, fighting continued for years before a new dynasty managed to unite China.

Zhou Society The Zhou adopted much of the Shang culture. They followed the same basic laws, wore similar clothing, and spoke the same language. They produced bronze art that rivaled that of the Shang. Great changes also occurred in the Zhou dynasty. For example, the Zhou kings gave up the practice of human sacrifice and stopped using the oracle bones.

Structure of Society The Zhou kings, just as the Shang rulers before them, occupied the center of government. The Zhou, however, gave more power to individual states and the nobles who led them. Those states would set up their own walled capital cities, from which they controlled the lands of some lesser nobles. The nobles were expected to serve the king and raise armies to support him.

Structure of Society As in most ancient societies, the majority of people were peasants. They farmed the land, and also had duties such as serving as soldiers in battle. There were a small number of merchants, artisans, and slaves in Zhou society. Slavery was used as a punishment. Some people also were sold into slavery when their family fell on hard times.

Family Relationships The ancient Chinese put high value on family. Society demanded that individuals show loyalty to their family. Within the family, older family members had more power and privileges than younger ones. As it is in most ancient societies, men had higher status than women.

Economy and Technology During the Zhou dynasty, there were many technological advances. One important weapon was the crossbow. Artisans learned to make iron, which is stronger than bronze. The Zhou used iron to make weapons. Iron was used to make stronger, more effective, farm tools. The Zhou’s crop yield increased as they used irrigation and fertilizer for more of their famrland.

Economy and Technology The Zhou built a network of roads, which helped travel and trade. A number of new cities began to spring up.

Cultural Life The Zhou dynasty was also a time of great creative energy. As the leaders of the warring states fought for power, they supported poets and artists. They looked for wise men to help them rule. The writings of thinkers from this time period became the foundation of much of Chinese thought for centuries to come.