Zhou Dynasty The Mandate of Heaven is a

Zhou Dynasty • The Mandate of Heaven is a philosophy that confirms a worthy ruler or condemns him in China. • It is the idea that if a ruler is strong in his duties, and takes care of his responsibilities to his people, then Heaven shall bless him and aid him. • If he is cruel, unkind, or incompetent, then Heaven shall remove its blessing upon him and he shall suffer alone.

Zhou Dynasty • Ruling the proper way was called the Dao • His duty was to keep the gods happy • The Mandate to heaven gave people the right to overthrow a ruler who was evil or dishonest.

Zhou Dynasty • Tools & Trade • Developed irrigation and flooding control systems • 550 BC were using iron plows • Important Trade item was silk

Zhou Dynasty • Decline of the Zhou • Over time local rulers of the Zhou dynasty became powerful. • Stopped obeying Zhou kings setting up their own states.

Zhou Dynasty • Decline of the Zhou • 403 BC fighting and war breaks out among the rulers for 200 years

Zhou Dynasty • Decline of the Zhou • The Warring States Period takes place from sometime in the 5 th century BC to the unification of China by Qin in 221 BC.

Zhou Dynasty • Decline of the Zhou • Warring states used large armies of foot soldiers • Peasants were forced to serve in the army

Zhou Dynasty • Decline of the Zhou • Armies used crossbows, swords, and spears. • Eventually the Chinese invented saddles and stirrups to use on horses.

Zhou Dynasty • Decline of the Zhou • 221 BC the ruler of the Qin (Chin) used a large cavalry to defeat the other states and set up the Qin Dynasty

Review • What were oracles bones and how were they used? • How did the Mandate of Heaven allow for the overthrow of kings in ancient China? • How did Ancient kings maintain control of their dynasties? • During the fall of the Zhou and the Period of the Warring States what invention led to the use of cavalries?