1. Mandate of Heaven Bellwork
Why might the Zhou Dynasty have created the idea of the Mandate of Heaven?
To justify their overthrow and the Shang/ justify their rule
The Mandate of heaven lead the development of the__________________ Cycle.
Dynastic

2. Shang Dynasty Bellwork
The Shang Dynasty developed along the ________________________ River
Huang He
What items were used to communicate with the gods in Shang China?
Oracle Bones
______________________ ruled territories as a representative of the king
Aristocrats

3. Objective
WWBAT: Introduce the major characteristics of Zhou Dynasty China
WWBAT: Begin a primary source reading activity on the Mandate of Heaven

4. Interactive Notebook Set Up
9/1/2015
The Zhou Dynasty
This will be one page

5. Background
Feudalism
Advancements
Mandate of Heaven/Dynastic Cycle

6. The Zhou Dynasty Background
The Shang Dynasty was overthrown and replaced by the leaders of the Zhou Dynasty
The Shang were overthrown in the Battle of Muye around BCE

8. The Zhou Dynasty Background
The Zhou Dynasty kept the same political structure as the Shang Dynasty
Aristocrats still ruled territories given to them by the king
The Zhou created an interesting way to justify their rebellion and rule

9. The Zhou Dynasty Background
The Zhou Dynasty was the longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history
The Zhou Dynasty lasted from 1046 BCE-256 BCE
Leaders of the Zhou Dynasty claimed they posed the Mandate of Heaven, which justified their rule

10. Mandate of Heaven
Kings of the Zhou Dynasty claimed they ruled by the decree of Tian or Heaven
Kings claimed that if they continued to rule than it was because Heaven allowed them to
If a king/dynasty was overthrown it was because they had lost the Mandate of Heaven
Kings /dynasties would loose the Mandate of Heaven because they became corrupt, ineffective, and or selfish rulers

11. Mandate of Heaven
Since the kings ruled because of the Mandate of Heaven it was their responsibility to keep the gods happy
If the gods were happy than their people would be protected and cared for by the gods

12. Dynastic Cycle
Up until the early 1900 CE power in China followed something called the Dynastic Cycle
The Dynastic Cycle is tied directly with the Mandate of Heaven
Called the T’ien Ming
Let’s look at the Dynastic Cycle

13. According to legend the last Shang ruler was a wicked tyrant and the leader of the state of Zhou rose up in rebellion
Zhou (longest running dynasty in Chinese history) took over around 1027 B.C. (again dates a bit unclear) – justified takeover w/mandate of heaven – said Shang leaders had become poor rulers so the gods took away their rule and allowed the Zhou to take over – became an important belief tied to Chinese government – natural disasters or riots could be seen as signs that the leader had lost the mandate of heaven – played a big role in China’s dynastic cycle

14. Feudalism
A social system was created during the Zhou Dynasty, called Feudalism
In the feudal system peasants would be given a small plot of outer land by their lord
With the lord’s manor in a central location

15. Feudalism
In exchange all peasants were expected to work on a central plot of land for their lord
The peasants would be able to profit from work on their land
In exchange for their work, the peasants would get protections from their lord

16. Advancements of the Zhou Dynasty
During the Zhou Dynasty regular use of iron began

17. Advancements of the Zhou Dynasty
Iron was used for weapon, farming equipment, and craft items
Such as jewelry, bells, vessels, ect

18. Advancements of the Zhou Dynasty
There were multiple advances in agriculture made during the Zhou Dynasty
Advances in irrigation systems made farmers less dependent on rainfall/flooding
This made it easier to spread water evenly throughout fields

19. Advancements of the Zhou Dynasty
Perhaps the greatest advancement was the introduction of iron plow
Iron plows made it possible to farm previously unusable land

20. Advancements of the Zhou Dynasty
What impacts would these advancements in agriculture have?

21. Advancements of the Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou created major roads and canals
This made moving food much easier, leading to greater food surpluses
Also lead to better communication