Zhou Dynasty (4000 BCE-1000 CE)
John and Trenton Period 6
Economics
The Zhou dynasty was mostly based on agriculture. Which meant that more slaves and peasants were used to take care of lands. Since they farmed so much, they were able to upgrade their tools and swords to iron. People made iron swords and tools and the economy and the military became more wealthy. This was called the "iron age"
Tools and Swords of the Zhou Dynasty
Politics
The Zhou dynasty started after the Shang dynasty fell. A ruler took power, King Wu, he fought against the Shang dynasty for years and finally took over and won. He took over China using a system called '"Feudalism". Feudalism is when the King gives the his nobles all control of the lords lands in exchange for military service and slaves. In time, the nobles became greedy and the dynasty came falling down because the king had no power.
King Wu
Religion
The Zhou dynasty used the mandate of heaven which gave the king power to rule, as long as he satisfied the Gods and his people. If he did not satisfy, the people had the right to overthrow him and establish a new leader that was worthy enough to take over his position. The Zhou religion was abstract and transcendental. Heavenly spirits, terrestrial forces, and human ancestors were the three deities. There were two opposite forces: The Yin and The Yang. These two balanced each other.
Yin and Yang symbol
Inventions and Technology
The Zhou dynasty had many inventions such as perfecting of bronze casting, development of music, perfection of the calendar, the first geographical maps, engineering technology for irrigation, drainage, water ways, canals, and multicolored layering of wooden objects. They also greatly increased crop yield with iron Ox drawn plows, and large scale irrigation. They also had great architecture such as buildings with rammed earth floors and walls, two-stories buildings and observation towers, and nine-story towers.