The Zhou Dynasty originated from the Zhou 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.
At that time, the Shang Dynasty was under the rule of King Zhou. He was atrocious to his people and doted on his imperial concubine, Daji. All he did caused great rage amongst his people. The chief of the Zhou Tribe, Zhou 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 (Zhou Wuwang) succeeded him. He made full preparations for the war and killed King Zhou. Thus the Shang Dynasty ended in 1046 BC.
 | | Bronze Cauldron | |  | | Bronze Bell | |
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. It lasted for over 800 years and included the reigns of 37 emperors.
The Zhou Dynasty is divided into two periods: the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC to 771 BC) and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC - 221 BC). It is so divided because the capital cities in the Western Zhou Dynasty of Fengyi (presently in the southwest of Chang'an County, Shaanxi Province) and Haojing lie to the west of the Eastern Zhou's capital of Luoyi (present Luoyang, Henan Province). As to the Eastern Dynasty, it is divided into the Spring and Autumn Periods (770 BC-476 BC), and the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC). Each of the periods featured turbulent wars.
The achievements during the Zhou Dynasty in economy, politics, science and culture, were much more illustrious than any which occurred during the Shang Dynasty.
In the year 221 BC, Qin defeated the other six states which existed during the Warring States Period and unified China. Thus, history moved forward to a new age called the Qin Dynasty.
 | | Bronze Vessels of Zhou Dynasty | |  | | Building Material, Western Zhou Dynasty | |
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Travelers' Voices on Zhou Dynasty
1.
Sep. 28,2009 12:19 Reply
Mr.Lance(USA) said:
I just want to hear wat u all have to say bout Zhou... But wat was their religion????????????
Oct. 20,2009 16:58
Mr.bill(USA) replied:
i think it was confusinisem
Nov. 1,2009 19:17
Mr.Mason(USA) replied:
Actually Their religion was a mix of old Chinese folk religion and the hundred schools of thought (which is not a religion as much as a set of ideal). However, Confucianism was formed during the Zhou Dynasty, although that is also not technically a religion because it refers to a set or standards which all people should adhere to, rather than state the powers of a supernatural deity
Dec. 1,2009 18:37
Ms.haley(us) replied:
yah, it was confusinisem... just learned about it a few weeks ago...
2.
Nov. 30,2009 00:27 Reply
Mrs.coolies(Australia) said:
That helps me heaps with my ancient China project, thanks!!!
3.
Nov. 18,2009 12:08 Reply
Mr.roy smith(waco) said:
i thout it was really cool to read about zhou dynasty so let me knw more when you get some more
4.
Oct. 19,2009 16:34 Reply
Ms.hotstuf(USA) said:
what is there relegon
Oct. 20,2009 16:55
Mr.bill(Usa) replied:
confusinism and legalism and another i cant remember
Nov. 1,2009 19:19
Mr.Mason (USA ) replied:
Those are not religions, and the third one you are thinking of is Daoism... The religion was not official and generaly Chinese folk religion that could vary family to family
Nov. 3,2009 10:59
Mr.dog(USA ) replied:
its actually taoism
Nov. 5,2009 07:04
Mr.FROGMAN(China) replied:
friends from USA,I think you should know the fact not until Liu Che( Emperor Wu of western Han)came into power had Confuciansim been attached importance to by authority.As for the religion of Zhou,they had no systemic and sole philosophy.
Nov. 16,2009 22:50
Ms.GongZhu(Canada) replied:
Mr. Dog
Both Daoism and Taoism are right.
Daoism is the new pinyin system and Taoism is the old wayde-giles system. Pinyin is more widely taught now and is used in China.
5.
Oct. 1,2009 17:43 Reply
Ms.sassy(usa) said:
what is there religion i dont need art?
6.
Sep. 28,2009 12:16 Reply
Mr.Shadow(USA) said:
The Zhou dynasty shall be famous... but that's my opinion :P
7.
Jan. 22,2009 16:32 Reply
Ms.Hannah Montana(NJ) said:
This is a great site for projects it helped me alot with the zhou dynasty and yeah lol lol lol this page rocks.
Aug. 18,2009 16:22
Ms.Courtney S(U.S.A.) replied:
like duh...
everybody can tell what they personally think about the Zhou Dynasty and talk about whatever else... :) if that sounded mean sry bout that...
well im supposed to be doing a performance task on the Zhou Dynasty...
G2G
:) :~)
Sep. 11,2009 11:45
Mr.Steve Bevan(USA) replied:
Hey people I married Zhou Hong Ping, her father was Zhou Zhi Guang, is there any chance they are decendants of the original Zhou clan?
8.
Jan. 14,2009 19:23 Reply
Ms.lady said:
i need more acheivments!!! :D
Jan. 16,2009 09:44
Mr.bal saak(Pakistan) replied:
That's what she said!
Feb. 10,2009 19:12
Mr.Chang(Taiwan(or whatever)) replied:
The Zhou dynasty consists of various states that pay homage to the biggest state(the Zhou king), not really in sense a unified country, but rather a loose federation.
But after getting their ass kicked by a foreign tribe, the Zhou line never really recovered, and without big brother to watch out, the various states quarreled.
So began the "Spring & Autumn" period of Zhou. This time of conflict produced great thinkers, the most famous being Confucious who was really fed up with all the stupidity going around.
And when iron farming tools became popular, yeilding large economic surpluses, things got worse because they got more money to killeach other with, hence the "Warring States" period. From this period came Sun Tzu, the author of the most renowned military treatise in the world: The Art of War.
Feb. 20,2009 12:01
Mr.student doing a research project(USA) replied:
here is a really good website with great links for info on all the dynasties (including the zhou)
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/poolems/
BethG/jpms_depts_media_studproj_china.htm#Zhou%20Dynasty
Mar. 24,2009 17:57
Ms.Franky(U.S.) replied:
You're right. I am doing a project in my 4th period Social Studies and I have to find out 2 greatest achievements of 9 of the dynasties! :(
Aug. 18,2009 16:18
Mrs.concerned_citizen(us) replied:
hey thxs 4 the web site it helps alot
9.
Aug. 3,2009 02:23 Reply
Ms.lollipop(australia) said:
is every thing made of bronze in the zhou dynasty?
plz help
Aug. 3,2009 20:04
Mr.jolin(cn) replied:
no, but it develops rapidly in zhou dynasty!
10.
Jul. 29,2009 02:35 Reply
Ms.Lollipop(australia) said:
wat that model picture called?
PLZ HELP ME!!!
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!~
Jul. 30,2009 05:05
Mr.peter(cn) replied:
Bronze Vessels of Zhou Dynasty