The Zhou Dynasty

The Zhou Dynasty

The Rise of the Zhou Dynasty

The Zhou Dynasty ruled Ancient China from 1045 B.C. to 256 B.C. It was the longest ruling dynasty in the history of China. The land of Zhou was a vassal state of the Shang Dynasty. A powerful leader of the Zhou, named King Wu, began to plan to overthrow the Shang Dynasty.

​This is King Wu.

Multiple Choice

When did the Zhou Dynasty rule?

• 1045 BC-256 BC

• 1600 BC - 1046 BC

• 2200 BC - 1599 BC

• 246 BC - 220 BC

Multiple Choice

Who planned to overthrow the King of the Shang Dynasty?

• People of Europe

• King Wu

• Yu The Great

• Emperor Qin

The government of the Zhou was based on the Feudal System. The emperor divided the land into fiefs that were usually ruled by his relatives. The nobles who ruled the fiefs basically owned the farmers who worked their lands.

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Government

​Fiefs: an estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service.

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The government of the Zhou Dynasty was based on the ​

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​

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feudal

system

caste

aristocracy

Mandate of

Heaven

democracy

The King was at the top.

King

Lords/Nobles who were landowners were second.

Nobles

The people who farmed the land and served the Nobles were last.

Peasants

​The Zhou Dynasty established a new political order. They granted land to people in return for loyalty, military, support, and other services.

​A New Political Order

Multiple Choice

True or False: The Nobles were at the top of the social class?

• True

• False

• Maybe

• I don't know

Like most societies that developed during this period, China under the Zhou Dynasty had an economy centered on Agricultural Production. One of the greatest accomplishments of the Zhou was to increase that production by settling farmers in lands near the Yangzi River.

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An Agricultural Economy

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The Zhou Dynasty had an ​

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​ ​ Economy.

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Agricultural

Capitalist

Religious

Technological

Basic Beliefs

• The Zhou believed in Dualism--which means that everything relates to everything else and works best when in balance (Yin/Yang).

• They believed in harmony, cooperation, and submission to the larger group while allowing for individuality.

• The Zhou also believed that Heaven controls life on Earth and life passes from parent to child. Because each child receives life from their parents, it makes sense that the child should "worship" their parents.

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Dualism means that everything ​

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to everything else and works best when in ​

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.

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relates

balance

is the opposite

at war

skips

motion

harmony

creates

The Zhou Dynasty is famous for the beginnings of three major Chinese Philosophies:

1. Confucianism

2. Taoism/Daoism

3. Legalism

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Zhou Dynasty Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of some of the most basic questions about human life.

​​What does Philosophy mean?

For example, what can people really know about life?

OR

Are human beings basically good or evil?

EXAMPLES

Multiple Choice

What does philosophy mean?

• It means balance

• It is the study of Schenfeldism

• It is the study of some of the most basic questions about human life.

• I don't know

The teachings of Confucius focus largely on the respect of one's parents, elders, and ancestors.

He also taught that humans "can never stop learning"; meaning that we will always learn, never stopping.

Confucianism

Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or the universe. Taoists believe in spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body joins the universe after death.

Taoism/Daoism

Legalism promotes the notion of strict law and order and harsh, collective punishments.

Legalism

​The Three Zhou Philosophies

Multiple Choice

The three philosophies that started in the Zhou Dynasty were _______, ________, ________.

• Confucianism

• Taoism/Daoism

• Legalism

• All of the above

The Zhou Dynasty developed the Mandate of Heaven to justify the rule of kings, who had been blessed by the gods.

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The Mandate of Heaven

​The Principles:

1. The right to rule is granted by Heaven

2. Only one Heaven means there is only one ruler in China

3. The right to rule depends on the integrity of the ruler.

​Advantages:

1. It gave the ruler supreme power politically and religiously.

2. Power is kept in check by integrity.

​The Mandate of Heaven justifies rebellion as long as the rebellion is successful.

Multiple Choice

The Mandate of Heaven was used to ______________

• justify the rule of kings who had been blessed by the gods.

• start wars against others

• spread religion across China

• I don't know

The Zhou Dynasty ended with the "Warring States Period" (476-221 B.C.), in which various city-states battled each other, establishing themselves as independent feudal entities.

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The Warring States of China

​They were finally united by Qin Shi Huangdi, a BRUTAL ruler who became the first emperor of a unified China.

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The Zhou Dynasty ended with the ​

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in which various city-states battled each other, establishing themselves as independent feudal entities.