1. Welcome to the Zhou Dynasty!
If you have a star,
sit at a desk with a star
If you did not get a star,
sit wherever you’d like!
Today’s Goal:
Explain the strengths & weaknesses of feudalism
Any guesses about what’s going on here?

2. Who are you?
King
Noble
(Lord, Duke)
Vassal (Knight)
Peasant

3. How much money do you have?
Peasant
Vassal
Noble
King

4. Answer these questions in your notebook
What does the money symbolize?
Why do peasants put up with this?
Who has the most power?
Why is chivalry (sportsmanlike conduct) usually a part of feudalism?

5. Strengths of Feudalism Why Did it Work?
Weaknesses
of Feudalism

6. Feudalism: How it works
Vassals - Knights
King
Kings grant land to
nobles
Nobles pay taxes to king
Will provide an army
Nobles- Lords
Nobles grant
land to vassals
Vassals pay taxes to lord, protect the land
Vassals let peasantsfarm the land
Peasants pay taxes to vassals,
Produce food
Peasants

7. Strengths of Feudalism Why Does it Work?
Mutual Obligation
Everyone needs each other
King needs tax money, goods, and people for military forces
Nobles need money, goods & protection
Peasants need land to farm & protection
Decentralized
Lords get to rule their land as they like

8. Weaknesses of Feudalism
Nobles become too powerful and rebel
As generations pass, loyalty/family ties become more distant

9. What actually happened to the Zhou?
Feudalism worked for about 250 years
771 BCE Zhou king killed
local lords fought one another & the Zhou
each lord had his own army & economic base
tradition of chivalry broke down
new weapons like the crossbow led to more fighting

10. Warring States Era 500 years of instability & weak kings
intense debates about how government should rule
3 philosophies emerge
Confucianism
Legalism
Daoism

11. Connect to the Big Question
Did feudalism unite China or not?
Use detailed evidence to back up your answer
Homework: read & take notes, p
Focus: describe & compare 3 philosophies
Due Monday, November 4