1. Zhou Dynasty
Circa 1050 BCE to 256 BCE

2. The Zhou Dynasty Around 1050 B.C., the Zhou conquered the Shang.
Shang kings had grow corrupt
When Zhou attacked Shang many Shang warriors refused to fight
The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other Chinese dynasty. It lasted from 1050 B.C. to 256 B.C.
Zhou rulers claimed the right to rule or the Mandate of Heaven.

3. The Right to Rule
Zhou declared that their success proved they had heaven’s support
Heaven was the highest for force nature
Right to rule = mandate of heaven
If a dynasty failed to act properly it lost this right and power would pass to a new dynasty
To stay in power the rulers needed to act virtuously

4. Zhou Expansion Expanded its land through conquest
To keep control of the large kingdom the king placed family members in control of individual regions or states

5. Noblemen Grew in Power
This form of government worked well for several hundred years. However, overtime the king slowly became less powerful, while the nobleman grew in power.

6. Zhou Dynasty Overthrown
In 771 B.C. while fighting against a rebellion, the Zhou armies suffered a terrible defeat. As a result, the Zhou Dynasty lost even more power to the noblemen.
Warring Period
Battles ravaged the countryside
Stronger states conquered weaker ones
In 256 that last Zhou ruler was over thrown

7. Philosophers during Zhou China
During the Zhou dynasty, two important Chinese philosophies developed.
Confucianism and Daoism were two significant philosophies developed during the Zhou dynasty.
Both philosophies stressed the importance of harmony as Zhou China experienced increased warfare.

8. Confucius was an
important Chinese
philosopher.
He stressed the
importance of order
to achieve harmony.
Confucius believed
that if people knew
and did what they
should do, then
harmony would
occur.

9. It is believed that
the founder of
Daoism or Taoism
was Lao Tzu.
Daoism was a
philosophy that
stressed the
importance of
nature. By living
naturally, harmony
could be achieved.

10. Zhou Society
The Zhou gave more power to individual states than the Shang
Majority of people were peasants
Small number of merchants, artisans, and slaves
Place a high value on family relationships

11. Economy and Technology
Inventions:
Crossbow
Iron Weapons
fertilizer
Economy:
Coins (made trade easier)