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As the Shang state had considerably shrunk in result of corruption and dissolution. The Zhou kings pushed eastward over throwing the Shang dynasty. Using the Mandate of Heaven, the Zhou rulers lead with moral correctness.
picture source: Clerk, George. Vetta. Digital image. Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2016. -
The capital of the Zhou Dynasty was attacked. King You son of King Xuan was killed during the nomadic invasion in the capital city of Zhou, Haojing, by a group of northerners.
picture credit:Trovato, Benjamin. Zhou Dynasty. Digital image. Zhou+dynasty - Google Search. N.p., 22 Nov. 2010. Web. 08 Oct. 2016. -
Many court members and royal heirs abandoned the distraught city and made Luoyand the new capital, making Ji Yijiu (the queens son) the new king. This period of time ultimately was the turning point in the Zhou Dynasty and marked the end of the Western Zhou period.
picture source: The Western Zhou Dynasty Map. Digital image. Bigstock, n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2016. -
The Spring and Autumn Period was named after the small state of Lu. Throughout this period of time was when the military conflict escalated. As a result of this, violence and wars struck bringing states from 100 to about 40 states at the end of this time period.
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The power in the Zhou rulers rapidly began to decrease, ultimately losing control. In consequence, the division of the country began, leading to a self-governing people. Due to the fact that the emperor was given practically no allegiance, the Dong Zhou dynasty launched, making the beginning of new period.
picture credit:Ceremonial Bronze Jian, Dong (Eastern) Zhou Dynasty (770–256 Bce). Digital image. The+Dong+Zhou+begins.(770+BCE)+ - Google Search. Britannica, n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2016. -
The state of Lu adopted “the tax-by-land system”, this being a process in which taxes were collected in proportion to one’s land size. This system was meant to increase the country’s revenue. Consequently, this resolved peasant’s complaints.
picture credit:A Western Zhou Ceremonial Bronze. Digital image. The+state+of+Lu+adopts+"the+tax-by-land+system."(594+BCE) - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2016. -
Confucius was a very well-known Chinese teacher, philosopher and figure. Known for his beliefs in restoration of family order, and his model of social interaction. As a result, he is the most influential and well known Chinese political figure in history.
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After the wars the states slowly emerged as independents, growing into territorial powers. These including the state of Qin in the west, Jin in the north, Qi in the East.
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Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, philosopher, and military general and strategist. From his experience in the military he wrote The Art of War. This eventually being one of the most popular read treatises on war.
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After decades of war, the Zhou Dynasty came to an end. The rulers recognized one another as kings, ultimately forming independence of states making the real power of Zhou so small. All states eventually gained this independence which brought the end of the Zhou Dynasty.
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Han Fei is known as the greatest of China’s legalist philosophers. His principles/works on the autocratic government was adopted by the King Zheng of Qin. These principles included that rulers must use strict laws to control their subjects. Legalism ultimately becoming a competing philosophy to many.
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The Qin Dynasty absorbed the Zhou state. Qin fought with two other states until eventually it conquered both and established itself as the Qin Dynasty. This dynasty left crucial marks on the Chinese culture.
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Zhou dynasty is the longest lasting of Chinese dynasties. Unlike the Xia and Shang dynasties, the Zhou dynasty ruled for nearly 8 to 9 centuries. Ultimately its dynasty shaped the political and cultural characteristics of that time period and the new people to come. Lastly the dynasty started in 1046 BCE and ended in 256 BCE.
