Zhou Dynasty/Jessica

Start of Zhou Dynasty

1046 BCE

King Wu comes into power and becomes the first ruler. He was the son of King Wen of the Zhou Kingdom and soon succeeded his father and conquered the Shang Dynasty. King Wu was the first of the Zhou dynasty. I find this significant because it marks the beginning of a whole other chapter in China's history. The Zhou dynasty is one of the most memorable of the many dynasties that resided in China.

Capitol is Attacked

771 BCE

The capitol is attacked after King You had replaced his wife. The wife's father was a ruler of a nearby region called Shen and decided to attack. Ji Yijiu, the queen son is proclaimed king. This event is significant because it shows a

Luoyang

770 BCE

The capital is moved from Haojing in Xi'an to Luoyang in present day Henan province. The killing of the king and the change of capital mark the end of the rule of the Ji clan over the whole region. After 771, the Zhou Dynasty became the leading clan. This event is significant because it shows the change of capitals and how fast it can occur.

The Dong Zhou begins

770 BCE

The power of the Zhou rulers begins to decline and the country divides into a number of nearly autonomous feudal states with little allegiance to the emperor.This launches the period known as the Dong (Eastern) Zhou dynasty, marked by feudal disorder and splintering.

The Spring and Autumn period

770 BCE

Within the Dong Zhou, the Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu) period begins, marked by a series of disagreements between many small states. The emperor's power declines and feudal lords fight for control.
This event is significant because it shows how disagreements can ruin the ruler's power over their power.

Coin Minting

650 BCE

Several Chinese states begin minting coins, but gold is not used for money until the 5th century BCE.
This event is significant because it shows some type of form of currency in China and when it started.

"The tax-by-land system"

594 BCE

The state of Lu adopts "the tax-by-land system," in which taxes are collected in proportion to the size of the land.
This event is significant because the change increases the country's revenue and resolves peasants' grievances.

Confucius is born

551 BCE

Confucius, who is to become the most influential philosophical teacher in Chinese history, is born. During the Warring States period, he founds Confucianism to attempt to restore family order and social harmony.
This event is significant because Confucius was an important part of Chinese history and created one of the many religions of China, Confucianism.

Four major states emerge

550 BCE

Following a period of rivalry and wars, four major states emerge: Qin in the west, Jin in the center, Chu in the south, and Qi in the east. These states continue to battle for power.
This is significant because it shows how the states of the Zhou dynasty still had disagreements even after joining together.

Sun Tzu

510 BCE

Sun Tzu is a powerful military general and strategist who wrote The Art of War based on his military experiences. His book becomes one of the most widely-read treatises on war during the subsequent Warring States period.
This event is significant because Sun Tzu wrote one of the best books written on the subject of war.

Jin and the Warring States period

403 BCE

With the approval of the Zhou king, the three major families of Jin divide into three states: the State of Han, the State of Zhao, and the State of Wei. These states and others begin to struggle for power over China, starting the Warring States period. Zhou power declines, as the government can no longer prevent conflict within ruling-class families, and China falls into a period of disorder.
This event is significant because it shows the downfall of power and how it occurred.

The rulers of Wei and Qi formalize the powerlessness of the Zhou throne

334 BCE

After decades of fighting, the rulers of the states Wei and Qi agree to recognize each other as Kings, formalizing the independence of the states and the powerlessness of the Zhou throne since the beginning of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. This leads all the other states to eventually declare their Kingship, signifying the beginning of the end of the Zhou Dynasty.
This event is significant because it shows how the states of the Zhou dynasty finally rejoice and become one.

Sections of the Laozi are available in China

300 BCE

While the date of origin is still being questioned, sections of the Laozi, a foundational text of Daoism, are available in China in what people think is a around 300 BCE. Daoism stresses the importance of living in harmony with the Dao, the guiding force of all reality.
This event is significant because Daoism was one of the most popular religions practiced in China.

Birth of Han Fei

280 BCE

Han Fei was born in about 280 B.C. He was one of the major contributors to the philosophy of Legalism.and he later argues that rulers must use strict laws to control their subjects, and Legalism competes with Confucianism and Daoism for followers.
This event is significant because Legalism was a popular belief in China and was the philosophy of administration.

End of Zhou Dynasty

256 BCE

The warring state period ends once Qin, a smaller state attacks and conquers. This marks the start of the Qin dynasty.
This event is significant because it marks the end of the memorable period of the Zhou dynasty.