The Zhou Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty: Introduction

1046 BCE

The Zhou Dynasty is the single longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history (c. 1046 BCE - 221 BCE). The Purpose of this timeline is to highlight several main events during the reign of the Zhou in China.

Zhou Dynasty Begins

1046 BCE

The Zhou join neighboring tribes and overthrow the Shang dynasty. Haojing becomes the capital. This period of the dynasty is known as the Western Zhou
Photo credits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Zhou

Zhou capital is attacked

771 BCE

The Zhou capital of Haojing is attacked by a nomadic tribe called the Quanrong. The attack calls for a new king, and so the queens son Ji Yijiu is made the new king.

The Dong (Eastern) Zhou Begins

770 BCE

The influence of Zhou rulers declines and the country divides into quasi-independent states, which marks the beginning of the Eastern Zhou dynasty.
Photo Credits: http://www.chinatownconnection.com/eastern-zhou-dynasty.htm

Several Chinese States beginning making coins

650 BCE

Chinese states begin making currency, however gold is not used as a form of money until the 5th century BCE.

The "Tax-by-land" System is created

594 BCE

The Chinese state Lu puts into practice the tax-by-land system, meaning taxes are now collected in accordance to the size of the land. This change solves peasant grievances and increases profits country-wide.

Confucius surfaces

551 BCE

Confucius founds Confucianism in an attempt to bring back family order and social harmony. Confucius is widely recognized as the most influential philosophical teacher in Chinese history.
Photo Credits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius

Sun Tzu writes The Art of War

510 BCE

A powerful military general by the name of Sun Tzu authors The Art of War, a book based on his war experiences. Sun Tzu's book becomes one of the most widely read during the Warring States period that was soon to follow.

The Zhou throne becomes powerless

334 BCE

With the leaders of the Wei and Qi recognizing each other as kings, they effectively negate any and all influence of the Zhou throne. Subsequently, all the other states declare their kingship, marking the beginning of the end of the Zhou dynasty all together.

Han Fei is born

280 BCE

Han Fei is one of the major contributors to Legalism. He argues that leaders must use strict laws in order to control the individuals they rule over. The philosophy of Legalism competes with Confucianism and Daoism for followers.
Photo Credits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Fei

The Zhou Dynasty Falls (Beginning of Qin rule)

221 BCE

The period of Warring States in China comes to a close when the Qin state of China conquers all the others, beginning the Qin dynasty and ushering out the Zhou Dynasty.