February 20, 2010

The Zhou Dynasty (1045-256 BCE)

GOVERNMENT AND RULE
The Zhou dynasty established the Mandate of Heaven, a belief that a ruler's authority came from a higher power and could also be taken away if he acted unjustly. In addition to losing office, a ruler could sometimes have further consequences, like the destruction of his ancestral temple.

THE DOWNFALL OF ZHOU
The dynasty was large and relied upon decentralized administration. It came to an end, however, when individual states became too strong as a result of decentralization. The development of iron could no longer be controlled as well.



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