by: Tynajion Hayes And Tayler Jackson

 The Zhou dynasty, which followed the Shang dynasty and lasted from 1027 B.C. to 221 B.C.  1046 B.C.E.- Zhou Dynasty was created, and at first was a monarchy  The Zhou reigned over 800 years and was the longest-ruling dynasty In Chinese history  Zhou emperors were priest and they believed they were the “Sons of Heaven”.  Emperor Wu was the 1st official Zhou emperor and before he began leading the Zhou Dynasty he had to overthrow the Shang Dynasty.  One of the 1st dynasties to start collecting books

The Zhou Dynasty has written accounts that are about the beginning of the dynasty and are in the Records of the Grand Historian, written between about 109 BC and 91 BC by Sima Qian and another text that is called the Bamboo Annals. It is said that the text of the Bamboo Annals was buried with the King of Wei who died in 296 BC and was rediscovered in 281 AD during the Jin Dynasty era. The text was written on flat pieces of bamboo, and this is why it is called Bamboo Annals. The historical record of the Spring and Autumn Period that was a period in the middle of their dynastic reign are in these ancient records also, as well as in a tersely worded but detailed text called The Spring and Autumn Annals that was traditionally one of the Five Confucian Classics and ascribed to Confucius, though modern scholars doubt that he wrote it. More material about the Spring and Autumn Period was published in the Han era in three texts. These texts are called the Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals. It is said that they date from the Warring States era. The Zhou era can be divided into three main eras called the Western Zhou Period ( ), the Spring and Autumn Period ( ) and the Warring States Period ( ).

In the Chinese historical tradition, the Zhou defeated the Shang and oriented the Shang system of ancestor worship towards a universalized worship, away from the worship of Shangdi and to that of Tian or "heaven". They legitimized their rule by invoking the "Mandate of Heaven," the notion that the ruler (the "Son of Heaven") governed by divine right and that his dethronement would prove that he had lost the Mandate. Disasters and successful rebellions would thus show that the ruling family had lost this Mandate. The doctrine explained and justified the demise of the Xia and Shang dynasties and, at the same time, supported the legitimacy of present and future rulers. Before conquering Shang, Zhou was a state in Shaanxi. Gernet (1996:51) describes the Zhou state as a "city" which was in contact with the barbarian peoples of the western regions and more warlike than the Shang.

origin of Chinese philosophy developed to deal with political and social changes (Confucianism,Daoism,Legalism) compass invented sometime between B.C. - kite - the oldest type of aircraft was invented during the 4th or 5th century - established a system of feudalism which gave land in exchange for loyalty, military support, and other services - lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history - developed China's first projects involving hydraulic engineering - perfection of bronze casting - use of gold and silver inlays in objects - use of iron in developing iron casting for tools and weapons was introduced - developed technology for irrigation, drainage, waterways, canals, dikes, and dams - used dyed yarns and materials like silk and linen - produced glass - refined the calendar - studied and recorded astronomy and astronomical events - created the first geographical maps - discovered magnetism - advancements in mathematics, including basic arithmetic, fractions, geometry, trigonometry, and calculations - use of fertilizers and pesticides

Over twenty states and dynasties were involved in the building of the Great Wall. The creation of the wall was started during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period to prevent the invasion by other states of China and outer tribes.

1 Wenwang (Ji Chang) With the assistance of Jiang Ziya, he developed the Zhou that laid the foundation for overthrowing the Shang Dynasty BC BC 2 Wuwang (Ji Fa) The son of Wenwang; He defeated the Shang Dynasty in 1046 BC and established the Western Zhou Dynasty BC BC 3 Chengwang (Ji Song) The son of Wuwang; he established the capital city of Luoyi (near Luoyang in Henan Province) BC BC 4 Kangwang (Ji Zhao) The son of Chengwang; Under his reign, the Zhou Dynasty prospered BC- 996 BC 5 Zhaowang (Ji Xia) The son of Kangwang; the Zhou Dynasty began to decline during his rule. 995 BC BC 6 Muwang (Ji Man) The son of Zhaowang; His reign time is the longest among all the emperors in the Western Dynasty. 976 BC BC 7 Gongwang (Ji Yihu) The son of Muwang 922 BC BC 8 Yiwang (Ji Jian) The son of Gongwang. The Zhou Dynasty fell into a decline in his reign. 899 BC BC 9 Xiaowang (Ji Pifang) The son of Muwang and the younger sister of Zhou Gongwang 891 BC BC 10 Yiwang (Ji Xie) The son of Yiwang (899 BC BC) 885 BC BC 11 Liwang (Ji Hu) The son of Yiwang (885 BC BC); He was a tyrant that abused the people and was defeated in many wars. After the people's rebellion in 841 BC, he was exiled. 877 BC BC 12 Gong Bohe He was elected by other vassals to deal with the state affairs after Zhou Liwang was exiled. 841 BC BC 13 Xuanwang (Ji Jing) The son of Liwang; He carried out a series of effective innovations and succeeded. 827 BC BC 14 Youwang (Ji Gongsheng) The son of Xuanwang; he made fun of his seigneurs in order to make his concubine smile. The Western Zhou Dynasty was lost at last in his reign. 781 BC BC

The Zhou Dynasty ended in 221 BC. The 250 years between 475 and 221 BC is called the Warring States Period because the region was divided among 8 warring states. Qin conquered them all by 221. The fighting was fierce. Some rulers were fighting to survive or retain power, and some wanted more power and territory. The dominant philosophy in Qin that controlled the westernmost territory was Legalism that justified harsh control, forced labor, and subservience to the emperor. They used their manpower for big construction projects that allowed them to field and supply big armies, and they were ruthless in war and in peacetime too. The Zhou Dynastic clan began with much power over a large empire with many fiefdoms at the beginning of their reign, and they were reduced to almost no power by 221. As the states warred, dominant philosophies and religions of Daoism, Legalism, Confucianism, and Moism emerged in the region and were spread by the surviving states. The dominant political philosophy in Qin was Legalism, and it was propagated when the Qin Empire began.

-King Wu's father was forced to eat his eldest son in soup while he was in the prison of the Shang which angered Wu into attacking and conquering the Shang. -The Duke of Zhou nearly doubled the size of China in his seven years of rule. -This was the longest lasting dynasty. -Zhou invented the chopsticks B.C.E- Zhou Dynasty's Golden Age (Peaceful time and calm state of economy.)

The Zhou dynasty fell because it was divided into four territories which overthrew the Zhou king, because they were declining morally and intellectually.

How did the Zhou dynasty fall? What is the relationship between the Zhou Dynasty and books? What made King Wu want to conquer the Shang Dynasty? What did the Zhou invent?

ancientchinesedynasties.weebly.com/the- zhou-dynasty.html Wikipedia.org