Group 1

Report: Chou (Zhou) Dynasty (1027 B.C. to 221 A.D.)

* The Zhou Dynasty—Warlords, Philosophers, Long but Weak Rulers

The Zhou Dynasty originated from the Zhou or Ji clan whose existence stretches back into history. By the 11th Century BC, the Zhou Clan had become increasingly powerful and had extended throughout the present Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces. The Zhou Clan's mightiness increasingly menaced the Shang Dynasty and the conflict between the two groups intensified. The chief of the Zhou Tribe, Ji Chang or King Wenwang thought it was the right time to attack the Shang Dynasty and entrusted his son Ji Fa to fulfill his last wish. After Zhou Wenwang died, his son Ji Fa known as Emperor Wuwang succeeded him. He made full preparations for the war and killed the king. Thus the Shang Dynasty ended in 1046 BC and the Zhou Dynasty began to emerge from the Wei River. Later, Zhou Wuwang established the Zhou Dynasty and made Haojing (the present Chang'an County, Shaanxi Province) its capital. The Zhou Dynasty was the longest dynasty in Chinese history. Historians divide the Zhou period into the Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou Dynasty periods. During the Eastern Zhou period, Chinese culture spread eastward to the Yellow Sea and southward to the Yangtze. Large feudal states on the fringes of the empire fought among themselves for supremacy but recognized the pre-eminence of the Zhou emperor, the Son of Heaven, who performed a largely ceremonial role. Beginning in the 7th century B.C., the authority of the emperors degenerated and hundred of warlords fought among themselves until seven major kingdoms prevailed. This led to the formulation of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The Spring and Autumn period, the Warring States period and the Age of Philosophers occurred within the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

*The Spring and Autumn period, Warring States period, and the Age of Philosophers

The Spring and Autumn period witnessed the fall of the Zhou royal authority, forcing the collapse of the hierarchical (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 or Age of Philosophers 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.

*The Leaders and Important Persons of Zhou Dynasty

Emperor Wenwang- Died during the conquest of Shang; tried to overthrow the Shang Dynasty; the father of Zhou Dynasty

Emperor Wuwang- son of King Wen; the first emperor of Zhou Dynasty; he was considered a just leader. He marched down the Yellow River to the Mengjin ford and met with more than 800 dukes. Seeing that the Shang government was in a shambles, he launched an attack along with many neighboring dukes. In the Battle of Muye, Shang forces were destroyed, and King Zhou of Shang set his palace on fire and burned himself to death.

Emperor Liwang- the last emperor of the dynasty; King Liwang was in reign for over 30

years. He paid attention to material interests and used a minister called Rongyigong as his prime minister. Duke Zhaogong admonished him by saying that civilians had complaints. 

Wenwang Wuwang Liwang

Kung Fu Tzu- was China’s greatest philosopher; his teachings on harmonious relations and order gave a new direction to an otherwise disorderly China. Confucius never intended to start a new religion, but Confucianism became the official code throughout China’s imperial history.

Mencius- was the greatest disciple of Confucius; proclaimed that people have the right to overthrow a bad government, even by violent means.

Lao Zi- founder of Taoism; according to his work, anyone can find true happiness by practicing the virtues of humility, patience, and self-control. Taoism gave rise to acupuncture feng shui, dabbling in black magic and sorcery, the concept of yin and yang, and other beliefs of Chinese religion.

Confucius Mencius Lao Zi

*The Decline of Zhou Dynasty

The decline of Zhou was mainly caused by the corruption of the government and the natural calamity. Before 900 B.C., Zhou Li Wang was enthroned. Zhou Li Wang was a money grabber and eager for personal interest. He was also a cruel emperor that known to many history lovers. He controlled his people by strict rules and cruel regulations.

In 841B.C, the people around the capital break out a rebellion and drove out Zhou Liwang the last emperor of Zhou. This is called “the national rebellion” in China’s history. The rebellion showed the strength of the peasants and their courage to against the controllers.

*Contributions of the Zhou Dynasty

One of the major contributions the Zhou dynasty made for religion was the introduction of the ideas of a Chinese philosopher, Confucius. He started Confucianism, which was more of a guide to morality than a religion since it did not have a god or a perspective on a life after death. Confucianism emphasizes sincerity in one's personal and public duty. Confucianism teaches men to be gentlemen-- men of good moral character, who are respected by their fathers and their ruler. A gentleman also must study continuously and practice self-examination. Confucianism also emphasizes the "Golden Rule" which states: "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others." This must also be followed by a gentleman. This kind of person would inspire those; he is superior to, to the same conduct.

In addition to religion, the Zhou dynasty also contributed many economic and beaucratic achievements. The Zhou dynasty had a feudal government very similar to the European feudal government, with the lords being vassals to the Zhou king. Agricultural techniques were also advanced causing agricultural food products to be the main food source for the Chinese. The Zhou dynasty implemented field grid patterns, which promoted efficient use of the land and systematic irrigation allowing fields to be properly watered. Fertilization became common, as did crop rotation, which is allowing a field to lie fallow so that it can restore its lost nutrients. Animal-drawn plows and farm tools were advanced by producing this using iron which made plowing and cultivating more effective. These advances initiated a huge agricultural expansion, to the point where there was practically no more room for grazing animals. Hunting also turned from being a necessity to being a sport, as it was not needed as much due to the increases in agriculture.

The Zhou dynasty contributed much for literature. It was one of the first dynasties to start collecting books including some famous works such as Chou-li (meaning Chou Rituals), which is a description of how the early Chou government was organized and the conduct of a gentleman. Another famous work is the Book of Documents, which is a history of the Chou dynasty.

Other contributions: Inlay Iron casting Iron weapons Chariots Dye Glass Astronomy Magnetism Arithmetic Fractions Geometry

Plowing Pesticides Fertilizers Acupuncture

(References: http://factsanddetails.com/china.phphttp://www.google.comhttp://www.dynastiesofasia.comhttp://www.history-of-china.com/)