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Big Idea

The Zhou Dynasty emerges in China.

Essential Question

What were the beliefs and achievements of the Zhou dynasty?

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Words To Know

Mandate of Heaven– how leaders gained their authority

(power) to rule from the gods.

Dynastic Cycle – a pattern used to describe the rise and

fall of all the dynasties that ruled China.

Economy – an economy is all about money being made and

money being spent. An economy is made up of buyers and

sellers. Buying what we need and selling what we make.

Let’s Set The Stage…

The Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C.E), who overthrew the Shang Dynasty, was the longest-lasting of ancient China’s dynasties (almost 800 years). The Zhou Dynasty is considered a time of great intellectual and artistic achievement. Confucius and the other great minds and artists that lived during the Zhou Dynasty helped to shape the character of Chinese civilization up to the present day.

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The Shang did not treat the people of China well.When the Zhou overthrew the Shang, they told the people that the gods had became angry.Now, the gods had chosen the Zhou to rule.

The early leaders of the Zhou Dynasty introduced the idea of the "Mandate of Heaven". This idea taught that the leaders gained their authority (power) to rule from the gods (divine right).

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The Chinese later expanded the idea of the Mandate of Heaven to explain the dynastic cycle, or the rise and fall of dynasties.

Floods, famine or other catastrophes were signs that a dynasty had lost the favor with the gods. As a result, a new leader might seize power and set up a new dynasty.

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As long as a dynasty provided a good government (being honest), it enjoyed the Mandate of Heaven. If the rulers became weak or corrupt (not honest), the Chinese believed that the gods would take away its support.

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During the Zhou period the economy grew.The use of irrigation and iron for tools helped to produce more food.

Trade expanded along new roads and canals.The Chinese began to use money for the first time which helped to increase trade.

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Under the Zhou, the Chinese made the first books.The Chinese bound thin strips of wood or bamboo together.

Among the greatest Zhou works is the lovely Book of Songs. Many of its poems describe such events in the lives of farming people as planting and harvesting.

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Astronomers studied planet movements in this star chart.

The Chinese developed an accurate calendar.

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The Chinese also discovered how to make silk from the silkworm.Silk became a very valuable Chinese export (an item traded/sold to other parts of the world).

Essential Question Answered

What were the beliefs and achievements of the Zhou dynasty?

The Zhou Dynasty overthrew the Shang Dynasty and became the longest-lasting of ancient China’s dynasties (almost 800 years).

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The early leaders of the Zhou Dynasty introduced the idea of the "Mandate of Heaven".

The Chinese later expanded the idea of the Mandate of Heaven to explain the dynastic cycle, or the rise and fall of dynasties.

Essential Question Answered

What were the beliefs and achievements of the Zhou dynasty?

The government of the Zhou was based on the feudal system.

During the Zhou period the economy grew.

The Zhou used irrigation, iron for tools and money which increased trading.

Essential Question Answered

What were the beliefs and achievements of the Zhou dynasty?

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The Zhou also made many contributions such as the first books, star charts, a calendar and learning how to make silk.

What were the beliefs and achievements of the Zhou dynasty?

Essential Question Answered