Transcript Zhou Dynasty - Polk School District

Zhou Dynasty
SSWH2 The student will identify the
major achievements of Chinese and
Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE.


c. Describe the development of Chinese civilization
under the Zhou and Qin.
Zhou (Chou) Dynasty
1076-221 BC
(pronounced Jo)
POLITICS
 Regional feudal states
 Ruled as coordinators rather
than as a central govt.
 military force determined
strength of rulers
 Conflict led to decline into
the "Period of the Warring
States" (403-221 B.C.).
 Introduced Mandate of
Heaven
Mandate of Heaven
Principles:
 right to rule is granted by
Heaven.
 only one Heaven = only one
ruler in China.
 right to rule depends on the
virtue of the ruler.
 Advantages:
 Ruler = supreme power
politically and religiously
 power kept in check by virtue.
 The Mandate of Heaven =
Rebellion okay if successful

Start here
Emperor is
defeated !!
Rebel bands find
strong leader who
unites them.
Attack the emperor.
{
Poor lose
respect for govt.
They join rebels
& attack landlords.
A new
dynasty
comes to power.
The emperor
reforms the govt.
& makes it more
efficient.
The
Dynastic
Cycle
Droughts,
floods,
famines occur.
Lives of common
people improved;
taxes reduced;
farming encouraged.
Problems begin
(extensive wars,
invasions, etc.)
Taxes increase;
men forced to
work for army.
Farming neglected.
Govt. increases
spending;
corruption.
Civil Service Examination
Confucian Philosophy =
state ruled by ability and
virtue.
 Was an attempt to recruit
men on the basis of merit
NOT family/ political
connection.
 success in the examination
system was the basis of
social status (high stakes testing)
 Success = Education

Civil Service Examination
Education = the key,
highly regarded.
 provincial examination =
 entire family was raised
in status to scholar gentry
 Received prestige and
privilege.
 The texts = Confucian
classics.

Economy

Iron age
 stronger and cheaper than
bronze
 Strengthened Zhou army
catapult
 creation of China’s first
cavalry

90% of peasants lived on
farms in family compounds
 new iron tools increased
harvest, food surpluses

Economy
Silk = most important
product
 Roads, canals allowed
better transportation,
communication
 Introduced
 Coins
 use of chopsticks
 Population grew
under Zhou
 Cities grew in size

Philosophy (Religion)

“the Warring States
period”=
Zhou leaders lost
control
 states fought each other
 100 Schools Movement
tried to bring stability
to China


Confucianism, Taoism,
and Legalism

philosophies of life and
govt from this era
Basic beliefs
Dualism – everything relates
to everything else and works
best when in balance
(Yin/Yang)
 Harmony, cooperation =
submission to the larger group
 Individuality is secondary
 Heaven controls life on Earth
 life passes from parent to
child.
 Life from parents = child
should worship/revere
parents.

Society
Emperor
2.
Regional rulers
3.
Farmers
4.
Slaves
BUT,
Confucian ideals changed
this near the end of
the Zhou
1.
Art
Bronze work
Tombs decorated
for wealthy

Hawk-shaped gold hat ornament
(8th - 3rd century B.C.)