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ZHOU DYNASTY
The Zhou Dynasty is divided into three periods: the Early Zhou (Western
Zhou) Period from 1122 - 771 B.C., the Spring and Autumn period (Eastern
Zhou)) from 771 - 481 B.C., and the Warring States era (during the Late
Zhou), from 481 - 221 B.C.
Traditional Chinese history indicates that the take over of the Zhou
from the Shang was credited with the doctrine forming a Mandate of
Heaven, which provided that the emperor or king ruled by divine right.
If the rulers were overthrown, the Mandate of Heaven was transferred to
the victors.
The Zhou had not been very creative in its achievements, since it had
adopted much of the Shang's achievements. However, it created a feudal
system with a hierarchy of feudal lords (aristocracy), and beneath them,
the mass majority were serfs (laborers), all of whom became vassals to
the king. The feudal society led to the development of smaller sovereign
entity states. As the Early Zhou came to an end, there was consolidation
of power that became centralized, similar to how China is structured
today.
The Spring and Autumn period witnessed the fall of the Zhou royal
authority, forcing the collapse of the heirarchical (familial) system,
and the formation of the rulers centralized authority. Iron made its
introduction using a cast-iron process, a cost-effective approach to
produce iron. As a result of this approach mining became more
sophisticated and made way to produce iron for a variety of functions,
including agricultural and crafting tools, and design of weapons.
However, during the Late Zhou, The Warring States Period was noted for
its technological and intellectual advances. The so-called One Hundred
Schools Period, which were philosophical schools of thought that became
dominant, including the development of Confucianism, Taoism, and
Legalism. These schools were promoted as a way to address political
issues as well as to appease the rulers. Additionally, literary works
became advanced, and legislative actions were written as law. Rice and
other grains were introduced, which expanded the marketplace and forged
a viable form of commerce, resulting in population growth.
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