The Zhou Dynasty
History
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The Zhou Dynasty ruled Ancient China from 1045 BC to 256 BC. 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 Wen Wang began to plan to overthrow the Shang Dynasty. The Zhou said that the reason they were able to conquer the Shang was that Heaven was on their side. It took many years, but finally Wen Wang's son, Wu Wang, led an army across the Yellow River to defeat the King of the Shang Dynasty. Many of the Shang soldiers went over to King Wu's side, because the Shang emperor, Di Xin, was unpopular. King Wu established a new dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty.
Government
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The Zhou Dynasty controlled lands that stretched far beyond the Huang He in the north to the Chang Jiang in the south. To govern this vast area, it gave control over different regions to members of the royal family and other trusted nobles. This established a system called feudalism. Feudalism is a political system in which nobles, or lords, are granted the use of lands that legally belong to the king. In return, the nobles owe loyalty and military service to the king and protection to the people who live on their estates. Similar systems would arise centuries later in both Japan and Europe
At first, the local lords lived in small walled towns and had to submit to the superior strength and control of the Zhou rulers. Gradually, however, the lords grew stronger as the towns grew into cities and expanded into surrounding territory. People who had been hostile toward the lords gradually accepted their rule and adopted Zhou ways. As a result, the local lords became less dependent on the king. More and more, they fought among themselves and with neighboring peoples for wealth and territory.
At first, the local lords lived in small walled towns and had to submit to the superior strength and control of the Zhou rulers. Gradually, however, the lords grew stronger as the towns grew into cities and expanded into surrounding territory. People who had been hostile toward the lords gradually accepted their rule and adopted Zhou ways. As a result, the local lords became less dependent on the king. More and more, they fought among themselves and with neighboring peoples for wealth and territory.
Religion
During its existence, the Zhou Dynasty represented the most creative time in the history of China as major philosophies emerged in this period. Philosophy is the study of problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The first of the Chinese philosophies created during the Zhou period was called Naturalism. Naturalists believed that nature had 2 sides (Yin & Yang) that depended upon one another and maintained a balance.
The second major philosophy to emerge was called Confucianism, which was based upon the teachings and beliefs of a Chinese philosopher named Confucius. Confucius taught people to develop responsibility, honesty & virtue. Confucius spearheaded the idea that only the most qualified, well-educated and virtuous persons should be appointed to help run the government rather than the people who had special connections or familial ties to current government officials. His teachings were written down by his followers in a collection called the Analects and are still read and followed today.
Another philosopher, Laozi, also lived at this time and founded a philosophy called Daoism (sometimes spelled Taoism, but always pronounced with a D sound), from the word Dao, meaning “Way of Nature.” Laozi believed it was important to understand and recognize “the way things are” within each person. For example, in the story of "The Ugly Duckling", when does the duckling stop feeling ugly? When he discovers that he is really in fact a swan, he finds his way to inner happiness. Many in China today believe in a combination of all 3 philosophies (Naturalism, Daoism, and Confucianism).
The second major philosophy to emerge was called Confucianism, which was based upon the teachings and beliefs of a Chinese philosopher named Confucius. Confucius taught people to develop responsibility, honesty & virtue. Confucius spearheaded the idea that only the most qualified, well-educated and virtuous persons should be appointed to help run the government rather than the people who had special connections or familial ties to current government officials. His teachings were written down by his followers in a collection called the Analects and are still read and followed today.
Another philosopher, Laozi, also lived at this time and founded a philosophy called Daoism (sometimes spelled Taoism, but always pronounced with a D sound), from the word Dao, meaning “Way of Nature.” Laozi believed it was important to understand and recognize “the way things are” within each person. For example, in the story of "The Ugly Duckling", when does the duckling stop feeling ugly? When he discovers that he is really in fact a swan, he finds his way to inner happiness. Many in China today believe in a combination of all 3 philosophies (Naturalism, Daoism, and Confucianism).
Advancements
Perhaps the most important and lasting thing that the Zhou did was to introduce iron into China, which helped transform and modernize China both militarily and agriculturally. The Zhou introduced the use of iron chariots in warfare and built dozens of large-scale canals and reservoirs for crop irrigation. The best example of this was the Grand Canal, which alone irrigated 1000 square miles of farmland.
Other Advancements
- origin of Chinese philosophy developed to deal with political and social changes (Confucianism,Daoism,Legalism)
- compass invented sometime between 480 - 221 B.C.
- kite - the oldest type of aircraft was invented during the 4th or 5th century
- Coined money was introduced
- 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
Other Advancements
- origin of Chinese philosophy developed to deal with political and social changes (Confucianism,Daoism,Legalism)
- compass invented sometime between 480 - 221 B.C.
- kite - the oldest type of aircraft was invented during the 4th or 5th century
- Coined money was introduced
- 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
The Fall of the Zhou
In 771 B.C. the Zhou king was killed by an alliance of enemy tribesmen and a few Zhou representatives. The Zhou were finally deposed in 256 B.C. For the next forty years China was locked in constant warfare. Small states fought each other to gain power. In 221 B.C., Qin Shi Huangdi became the victor of these wars. He united all the warring states into an empire. China remained a centralized empire until 1912, the longest surviving empire ever.
Source: http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/dynasties.php