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14.2 China Under the Zhou. Rise and Fall of the Zhou. The Shang lost power because they were corrupt According to the Zhou The Right to Rule The Zhou claimed the Mandate of Heaven gave them the right to rule If heaven supported your rule you would remain in power or come into power
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Rise and Fall of the Zhou • The Shang lost power because they were corrupt • According to the Zhou • The Right to Rule • The Zhou claimed the Mandate of Heaven gave them the right to rule • If heaven supported your rule you would remain in power or come into power • Victory proved that heaven supported your right to rule • If you ruled correctly you stayed in power • Therefore the ruler was called the Son of Heaven • An uprising or natural disaster was seen as a sign that the ruler was not governing correctly.
Rise and Fall of the Zhou • Governing the Zhou • The Zhou expanded their empire through conquest • Reached all the way to the Chang River • The empire now included many different cultures • Noble joined with nomadic invaders to fight against the Zhou • Although the Zhou survived their power was weakened • Smaller land owners – warlords started fighting with in the kingdom
Rise and Fall of the Zhou • The Warring States • The Warring States Period was a time of chaos • A few larger states developed • These larger states had very little loyalty to the Zhou • Eventually a new dynasty would emerge (Qin)
Zhou Society • Much of Zhou culture was similar to the Shang • No more human sacrifices or oracle bones • Structure of Society • The Zhou gave more power to the local rulers • Each state had walled cities and capitals • Lesser nobles then had to support their king with armies • Most people were peasants • There were a few merchants and artisans • As well as a few slaves
Zhou Society • Family relationships • Family was highly valued • Older family members had more rights and privileges • Men had more power than women • Economy and Technology • Invention of the crossbow (easier to learn) • Learning to work with iron (stronger than bronze) • Iron also used to make tools • Built roads • 1st use of coins
Zhou Society • Cultural Life • The Zhou Dynasty was also a time of creativity • The Warring States Period increased knowledge, art, poetry • Led to the 100 Schools Period