Zhou+Dynasty

The Zhou dynasty was the longest lasting Chinese dynasty. Lasting from 1040 B.C., when it seized power from the Shang rulers, to 475 B.C., when its power was undermined by civil wars between feudal lords, known as the Era of the Warring states. The Zhou dynasty had their capital at the city of Xi'an. Originally the Zhou was a nomadic tribe from northern China until they migrated and settled on the Wei River and became vassals of the Shang. Once the Zhou had seized power they developed the Mandate of Heaven to explain their great success as a divine ordination. The Zhou adopted much of the Shang culture. The Zhou is often divided into two different eras of rule, the Western Zhou which ruled from 1040 B.C. to 771 B.C., and the Eastern Zhou which ruled from 770 B.C. to 476 B.C. After this point the Zhou dynasty's power disintegrated and the Era of the Warring States began when all the feudal lords of the Zhou dynasty fought for power.



Images from: http://www.chinahighlights.com/map/ancient-china-map/western-zhou-dynasty-map.htm http://www.chinahighlights.com/map/ancient-china-map/eastern-zhou-dynasty-map.htm

Created by: Ian Worthington 9/3/08 Edited by: Benjamin Ellison September 23

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