Georgina Burros 2/21/11 Period 3 The Zhou Dynasty 5 Paragraph Essay Outline for 5 paragraph essay

The Zhou Dynasty was founded in 1046 B.C., following the Dynastic Cycle as their dynasty gained and lost power. The Zhou Dynasty gained the Mandate and finally lost it as they were overthrown in 221 B.C. The Zhou ruled China and experienced the dynastic cycle, through a period of prosperity, period of decline, and period of rebellion while gaining and losing the Mandate of Heaven.

The Zhou took power and created a period of prosperity. The Zhou created a prosperous time period as they increased markets in the country, enabling people to make profits from this benefit. The Zhou wrote down laws for society to keep a strong government, taking fair care of the people' which the people approved of. Creating agricultural production and use of iron, the Zhou were extremely advanced in technology, allowing them to rule China well. This was a definite benefit as this made the Zhou slightly aware of natural disasters so they could prepare themselves and the people and the Chinese people would not rebel because they cared about the safety of the people (this was due to their amazing advance in technology).The Zhou created a

system in which the Chinese people benefited economically, allowing them to experience a period of prosperity. However, overtime, the Zhou became careless and corrupt and allowed a period of decline to occur. The Zhou appointed governors to rule the states, choosing only relatives and friends because they believed they would not rebel. But, the Zhou became extremely greedy and they collected taxes from these states. Over time, the taxes increased as the Zhou became greedier, only caring about their wealthy lifestyle, enraging the governors and states. The Zhou grew extremely ignorant and completely ignored the people's needs. They were only interested in worshipping the Great god, Ti; thinking Ti would protect their power and country. They prayed for good harvests, but got the opposite as they did not truly care about the people's needs. The people starved but the Zhou did not care, as they became wealthier and only interested in their extravagant lifestyle. The Zhou were no longer interested in their people's prosperity, increasing the probability of decline. States finally spoke up and rebelled against the Zhou for long periods of time, exhibiting the period of rebellion in The Zhou Dynasty. Rebellion was occurring but, still, the Zhou were too wrapped up in their lifestyle to care. The suffering of the people became worse and many people starved. That suffering did not stop the Zhou from again raising taxes, leading to more rebellion of the states. The Zhou were ruthless, and merciless, which had caused the situation of the period of rebellion. Finally, after many years of unjust ruling, the Zhou were overthrown. This lead to wars between many states as each state wanted to gain control and begin a new dynasty. After a long period of time, a new dynasty was founded. The Zhou Dynasty was one of the many dynasties to follow the Dynastic Cycle in Ancient China.