Extra, Extra! The Beginning of The Zhou Dynasty Brings Great Excitement to China

Earlier this month a great thing happened in china, the Zhou Dynasty had begun, and the streets of China roared with excitement. Following the defeat of the Shang Armies it was time for a new dynasty to rule over China. This new Dynasty is already considered to have the potential to be one of the greatest Dynasties in the history of China. Though our dynasty has already suffered a great lost, Emperor Wu Wang died, and with his son to young to take over his brother will resume his brother’s duties until his nephew is ready to take over. . . though, there are some questions whether he will give up his power or not.

Here is what some of the proud citizens of China had to say on the streets of China. From returning soldiers to newborn babies, everybody had something good to say about the new.
This is what a former solider had to say about the new Dynasty,
“I was shocked by how fast we got the dynasty up, and running. I knew it was time for a new dynasty to take over China, but I did not except to happen for another decade or two. Then I was even more shocked when Emperor Wu Wang died, and his brother the duke of Zhou took over. I expected the Duke to take the dynasty, and run it straight into the ground. Though I am excited for the New Dynasty, and wish it the best of look.”

            One of our reporters had a few had a moment to speak with the new emperor the Duke of Zhou. In the short time they talked with him, they were able to get a summary of how he thinks the new Dynasty is going along.

“I think the new Dynasty is already a huge success. The economy going good, there are lots of jobs, and everyone seems to be happy. There is only one thing that I have had problem with, and that is people thinking that I will ruin this Dynasty, or that I will not let my nephew take over when he is ready. Until then I will be the best emperor that I can possibly be, and the day my nephew is ready to take over I will step down, and wish him the best of luck".
         We wish the Duke of Zhou and his dynasty the best of luck. For the Ye olde Associated Press this is Tommy Brennan.

Opinion/ Editorial

With the start of The Zhou Dynasty, there is a sense of excitement through the streets of China. There are so many aspects that could lead into a successful future. Now that Emperor Wu Wang has died, the Duke of Zhou has taken his brother position as Emperor, and is considered by most to be a great replacement. The Duke of Zhou has the fate of China in his hands, and

There is one significant fact that will give this dynasty a major chance to succeed, and that is because they have already proven themselves in war. After beating the might Shang Armies the Zhou Dynasty began. So after that victory the Zhou’s armies have anything to prove to anyone. So even though their army has proven to be strong point of this dynasty, this dynasty will not be able to succeed for much longer. This is because of the possibility that the Duke of Zhou will not let Wu Wang’s son take over when he is ready. People are naturally greedy, epically people high up in power. The Duke of Zhou might come to his senses, and realize that he does not have to give up his position. Also they cannot succeed with Confucianism. Legalism would be a more successful belief system to build a dynasty upon. Though it is up to The Duke of Zhou what belief system he believes in, and let’s finds out how he runs China for now.

Map of the Eastern and Western Zhou

  

                In the map of the Western Zhou (top) the area shaded in red is where it would be compared to modern day China, and capital of the Western Zhou was the city of Xian. The Zhou won the land when they defeated the armies of the Shang Empire. The Western Zhou did not expand as much as the Eastern Zhou would.

                The major expansion of land during the Eastern Zhou (bottom) was not because of progress; it was because of a rebellion. In the begging of the Eastern Zhou the capital was moved from Xian to Luoyang, after the death of the Emperor. Then 481 BCE China broke into seven main states, and several smaller ones. The Eastern Zhou lasted until it was defeated by the Qin Armies.

Interview with The Duke of Zhou

I traveled back in time to talk to the second emperor of The Zhou Dynasty, The Duke of Zhou, around the time when his brother ( Emperor Wu Wang) had just died. There were a lot of questions if the Duke would give up the throne when his brother’s son was old enough to take over. I was only able to talk to him for a few minutes (time machine malfunction). Though at first I forgot to my English to Chinese translator on at first, so I’m pretty sure the first thing he called me was a moron.

Tommy: Honorable emperor it is such an honor to meet you.

Duke of Zhou: Thanks, so you are from the future. Well what do you want to know about me?

Tommy: After your brother died did you instantly feel like everyone was putting the pressure on you to run the kingdom?

Duke of Zhou: Yes. At first I thought everyone was just waiting for me to be killed so my brother’s son could take over as emperor. It made me feel like I was just the bridge between the two of them, so at first I was mopping around the palace but I ultimately got over it.

Tommy: Did you ever think about not letting your nephew take over when he was ready for such a responsibility?

Duke of Zhou: At first I did, I was thinking about how he was just a little kid and that he could never run an empire. But in time I realized that he had time mature before he was emperor. So, I will relinquish the crown to too him willingly.

Tommy:  So you were a believer in Confucianism, what did you like about Confucianism rather than some other belief systems?

Duke of Zhou: I love Confucianism, I loved being able to live easily as a kid so Confucianism. Also the people love that I do not force them to produce a certain amount of stuff, so I would hate to have to switch to something else. That would be unfair to everyone, including me.
Tommy: So would you say legalism is an unfair and evil way to rule a nation? Why?

Duke of Zhou: Certainly I think it is an evil way to rule an empire. Who wants to get bossed around all the time by a self proclaimed leader who thinks he is better than everyone. I know I have some rights that not everyone has, but I do not go around bragging about them. Also I have always said to stand up for yourself, so I frown upon a leader who forces he subjects to admit that their not as good as him.

Tommy: One last question, how do you think you will be remembered?

Duke of Zhou: I hoped I am remembered as an excellent ruler, and an even better Uncle. All leaders are remembered, some more than others. I want to be remembered as a ruler who was completely fair to all the people of his empire, and a model for rulers to come. I also want people to remember how much I loved my family. I gave my nephew the job of emperor, a job I could have easily kept for myself. So ultimately I hoped I will be remembered as a good guy.

Inventions

 

One of the most important inventions that happened during the Zhou Dynasty was the Mandate of Heaven. The Mandate of Heaven was the belief that the heavens were supporting the current leader in China. The way that the citizens in china knew that their leader had the Mandate was if the was no natural disasters, and there was prosperity throughout the land. The leader also had a responsibility to carry out religious ceremonies, and rituals. The Mandate of Heaven also kept the current leader from being overthrown, as long as he had the Mandate. So no matter what happened, as long he had the Mandate of Heaven he could not be overthrown. The only way a leader could lose the Mandate of Heaven is if he had done something to upset the havens, either what he had done, or what he had not done to be a bad leader. When the leader lost Mandate of Heaven, it would cause chaos throughout all of China. Natural disasters would occur, and the great prosperity that they had at one point would go away. Then when the Mandate was lost, his citizens could overthrow the current him, after that a new leader (who had the Mandate of Heaven) was chosen to take his place.

The Mandate was invented early on during the Zhou Dynasty, By Emperor Wu Wang, when he was still alive, and emperor. This was first used by Emperor Wu Wang (and later The Duke of Zhou) to prove to his people that he had the heavens supporting the new dynasty. He understood that as emperor it was his job to carry out religious ceremonies, so he had to be the link between heaven, and Earth. Then when Emperor Wu Wang died, it was his brother The Duke of Zhou who claimed to have the Mandate of Heaven took his brothers place. And it went that way throughout China for years to come, one leader claiming to have the Mandate after another.

The Mandate of Heaven has affected in Chinas peoples life’s in many ways throughout The Zhou Dynasty, and beyond (Buzz Lightyear parody). Not only did they have a leader that the Heavens supported, they had great business and crops. Though some people completely despised their leader, they could not overthrow him, because he had the Mandate of Heaven. The lives of Chinese citizens were greatly affected when the Mandate of Heaven was lost, because natural disasters could affect their crops, and their businesses. Though for all the people who hated their emperor, they could finally overthrow him. The Mandate of Heaven was one the greatest inventions that was invented during the Zhou Dynasty.

Religion and Culture

            The main belief system that was used during The Zhou Dynasty was Confucianism. Confucianism was used during The Zhou Dynasty form it’s beginning in 1045 B.C. and until the end of the Zhou Dynast in 250 B.C. Confucianism was invented by Confucius, who believed that leaders should not force there to jobs, instead encourage people to. This belief system lasted through both the Eastern, and Western Zhou’s, which just says how efficient it is for a Dynasty. Confucian beliefs led to the citizens of China to not be forced to produce a certain amount of crops, instead they were told just to produce as much as they could. The students of China studied the teachings of Confucius, so that they know how to fit into the society. Confucianism must have been very successful, if it lasted through all of the Zhou Dynasty.

Major Events , Culture, and Geographical features

            One of the biggest events that happened during The Zhou Dynasty was when the Western Zhou ended, and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty began. The military was starting to be challenged by the lords, and their militias. Also the people held public protest against the Emperor. When Emperor Yao was killed, his successor fled to the east, starting the Eastern Zhou. The capital also moved from Xian to Luoyang.

            Another one of the major events was The Battle of Chang Pang, were half a million people were killed. It lasted almost four-hundred years, and it began when the bigger states started invading the smaller states, and conquering them completely. Now compare that to how many people die durring a military battle today.It was this battle that ultimately led to the end of The Zhou Dynasty.