1. The Zhou Dynasty

2. Imagine that it is 350 B.C.E.
The ruler of a small kingdom has sent three advisors to learn about the three philosophies. Upon their return he asks them, “What shall I do to rule well?”

3. “What shall I do to rule?”
The first advisor has learned about Confucianism. He tells the king, “Lead by example.”
The second advisor has studied Taoism. He says, “If you must rule, rule as little as possible.”
The third advisor has learned about Legalism. He says, “Set clear laws and harshly punish those who disobey them.”

4. Timeline (All Dates B.C.E.)
Shang Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
Confucius’ Birth 551
Laozi lived between 5th or 4th Century
Era of Warring States
Hanfeizi’ Birth 233
Qin Dynasty
Han Dynasty

5. The Zhou Dynasty

7. The Zhou Dynasty
B.C.E. Longest Dynasty
Black for 3,000 writing characters developed
Emperor Wu conquered the Shang

9. Mandate of Heaven
Emperor’s rule with heaven’s approval
Emperor called “son of heaven”
Heaven: “Tian”

12. Feudalism Kingdom (Peasants= poor farmers) King Noble Peasants Noble

13. Emperor gives land to nobles Nobles let peasants farm the land
Feudalism
Emperor gives land to nobles
Nobles let peasants farm the land
Peasants give most of their crops to the noble (he gets rich)
Nobles give money and crops to the Emperor (he gets richer)

14. Zhou Dynasty Accomplishments
Developed 3,000 characters for writing system
First Chinese books written
Confucius (greatest thinker) lived at the end of the Zhou Dynasty
Iron first used in China

15. Problems
Nobles became greedy and wanted more power
Nobles fought for 250 years (Warring States Period)
100 Schools of Thought: Everyone had different ideas about how government and society should be run