Politics of the zhou dynasty
The Zhou dynasty overthrew the Shang dynasty in 1100s B.C. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, there was an old type system, in which peasants worked on the lands of the lords. strangely, the Zhou dynasty ruled from walled cities instead of castles. There was a clear hierarchy in social class in which peasants, of course were at the bottom. After the Western Zhou Dynasty had moved to the East, there was an even larger hierarchy/social class because merchants and traders became very popular middle-class people.
The Zhou people agreed on a creating a spoken language, which was considered a huge advancement in the Chinese history. This language that was spoken was used throughout many Chinese dynasties, and it's one of the best known accomplishments of the Zhou Dynasty. This language is commonly reffered to as Old Chinese, or Archaic Chinese. Language helps to mantain a society together, and may be one contributing factor to the Zhou’s enduring rule. Because they spoke one language, it’s way easier for historians to discover and understandwhat happened during the Zhou rule, and Dynasties to follow. The end of the Zhou dynasty was of great impact. It began a period called the 'Warring states period'. this period lasted around 250 years of frequent warfare between 8 states that China got divided into. The 'waring states period' started at around 745 BC and ended in 221 BC when the Qin Dynasty unified China. |