Western Zhou and the Mandate of Heaven

The western tribe of Zhou defeats the last Shang king and takes his lands. To justify the overthrow, the victors advance the idea of a Mandate of Heaven: rule is given to a sovereign for his virtue, and taken away if he ruins his subjects. The fall of the old dynasty is thus explained not by weakness of arms but by forfeiture of right—and every later rebellion is handed a ready-made language. Land is parcelled out to kinsmen and allies as hereditary domains, and an elaborate court ritual takes shape. In 771 BCE the court flees east, Zhou authority becomes little more than ceremonial, and the domains turn into independent kingdoms.