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Period: 1097 BCE to 1046 BCE
The Layout of the Zhou Dynasty
While the Zhou Dynasty had not yet started during this time period, it was very important for the beginning of the Dynasty. Wenwang laid out the foundation for how to overthrow the Shang Dynasty and with that laid out path fort the Zhou Dynasty. -
1046 BCE
Beginning Of The Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty officially started in 1046 BCE after the overthrowing of the Shang Dynasty. The first emperor of the Zhou Dynasty was King Wu, Ji Fa. Picture Cite: https://www.google.com/search?q=king+wu&safe=active&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS812US812&sxsrf=ALeKk024N7_VOvHrIjexvpFtx9I9SQseWw:1592278622738&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT7MONtIXqAhXWVTABHVMVAVEQ_AUoAXoECBwQAw&biw=767&bih=663#imgrc=lxEtOt9LrMfIpM -
Period: 1046 BCE to 256 BCE
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese Dynasty that lasted for almost 800 years. It holds the record for being the longest Chinese Dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty came after the Shang Dynasty and before the Qin Dynasty. -
1021 BCE
Duke of Zhou Expeditions
Zhougong was the Duke of Zhou and went on many expeditions to expand the Zhou Dynasty. The Duke of Zhou was the chief of the conquered eastern plain and used his expeditions to bring the Yellow River Plain into the control of the Zhou Dynasty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Zhou#/media/File:Zhou_gong.jpg -
771 BCE
The Zhou Capital is Attacked
The capital of the Zhou Dynasty was in Haojing. The Capital was attacked in 771 BCE because King You replaced his wife with a woman who was a concubine (relationship between a man and a woman who are not married). The father of his wife was angry at this and he took his nomadic tribe and attacked Zhou Dynasty's capital. https://historychinesedynasties.weebly.com/zhou-dynasty.html -
770 BCE
The New Zhou Capital is Formed
After the capital of Zhou in Haojing was destroyed in 771, they Zhou Dynasty needed a new place to call their capital. Their new capital became centered in Luoyang. Picture Credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=luoyang+capital+of+zhou+dynasty&safe=active&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS812US812&sxsrf=ALeKk03KBxvoqjaZIQ1dDbMaKublSLAEMg:1592279000805&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUrefBtYXqAhXVRDABHSXZATIQ_AUoAnoECBYQBA&biw=767&bih=663#imgrc=EQBiBUnGj-e0JM -
770 BCE
Beginning of the Feudal States
In 770, the beginning of Feudal states in the dynasty started. The idea of the feudal states is that the king, who before owned all of the land, sells large portions of this land to lords. In exchange for selling these lords the land, these states and lords have to provide the king with soldiers if he is ever attacked. https://www.britannica.com/place/China/The-Zhou-feudal-system -
650 BCE
Chinese States Begin Minting Coins
The earliest marking of known mints that historians have dated is back to 650 BCE. The Chinese people began to stamp their gold and silver coins in order to pay armies. Before minting coins they traded goods and used what was described as shell money. https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+minting+coins+650+BCE&safe=active&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS812US812&sxsrf=ALeKk01U8Ea0wjFvnTOzAxv4NGF1PlzZsA:1592530032260&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbrffW3IzqAhXflHIEHcORCXsQ_AUoAnoECAwQBA -
594 BCE
State of Lu Adopts the Tax By Land System
In 594 BCE, the Lu state became the first to adopt a Tax By Land System. The tax by land system, site tax, is a tax of the unimproved value of the land. This tax does not take into account what is on the land or improvements of the land, just the land itself. http://landreform.org/bob/how-land-value-taxation-can-be-applied/ -
551 BCE
Confucius is Born
In 551, Confucius was born. Confucius was a very important Chinese philosopher who created the concept of Confucianism. Confucianism was a system of philosophical and ethical teachings. The Chinese people adopt these teachings throughout their everyday life. Picture Credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=confucius&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjlr6LVs4XqAhXrSt8KHfSdBTMQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=confu&gs_lcp -
403 BCE
The Warring States Period Begins
The warring states period ranged in time from 475 BCE - 221 BCE. This was the time that followed the Spring and Autumn Period. The was an era of division and conflict in ancient China. The various states were at war with each other. This led to the fall of the Zhou Dynasty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warring_States_period#/media/File:EN-WarringStatesAll260BCE.jpg -
256 BCE
Fall of the Zhou Dynasty
The fall of the Zhou Dynasty happened in 256 as a result of the warring states period. The states were in conflict with each other and breaking off from one another. This gave the army of the Qin Dynasty the chance to capture and kill the Zhou Dynasty ruler of the time. Ending the Zhou Dynasty and beginning the start of the Qin Dynasty. Picture Credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=the+fall+of+the+zhou+dynasty&safe=active
