Overview of Zhou Dynasty

The Zhou dynasty, which started around 1100 B.C., first came about when the powerful Zhou clan spread into the Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, which tightened the conflict between them and the Shang Dynasty (which ended in 1046 B.C.). From this, the son of Zhou Wenwang, Zhou Wuwang fulfilled his father’s last wish before dying, and killed the oppressive Shang ruler King Zhou. Furthermore, the Shang dynasty came to a close in 1046 B.C. The Zhou dynasty’s Zhou Wuwang further ushered in his dynasty and made a capitol in Haojing. The Zhou dynasty in total is split into two periods: Western Dynasty (1100 - 771 B.C.) and Eastern Dynasty (770-221 B.C.). The Western Dynasty started from the ruler Zhou Wuwang, and both lasted a span of over 800 years and 37 emperors. Therefore, this made the Zhou the longest lasting dynasty in China’s history. The Western Zhou dynasty’s capitols are in Fengyi (Shaanxi province) and Haojing, while the Eastern Zhou dynasty’s is in Luoyi (Henan Province). Many significant developments in culture, politics, science, and economy occurred in this period. Unfortunately, in 221 B.C., the Zhou were defeated by the Qin, who would take hold of Zhou lands and six other states, uniting into what became the Qin Dynasty.

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