Western Chou
11th c.- 771 		History of China Warring States
476 - 206 B.C.





Spring and Autumn, from 770 to 476 B.C.



In 771 the Western Chou capital of Chang'an was sacked by invaders. The dynasty survived, and a new capital was built at LO-YANG, located on the Hwangho River, east of Chang'an; hence the period is called Eastern Chou Dynasty (770-221). The expression Spring and Autumn Period for the earlier half of Eastern Chou (770-476) derives from a famous novel.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the central power lost authority at the expanse of regional vassals, and China slowly disintegrated into numerous regional states. During this period of political disunity Chinese philosophy and literature flourished, CONFUCIUS and LAO-TSE being the most famous exponents. The technique to produce SILK clothing was mastered by the Chinese. Canals were dug to extend the farmland which could be irrigated; the area where rice was cultivated, was extended.
The theory that the ruler has a MANDATE FROM HEAVEN, that he is called the SON OF HEAVEN, is formulated. China regards itself as the MIDDLE KINGDOM. The relation between states is compared to the relation between family members, there has to be a hierarchy based on age; the younger has to follow the older.






EXTERNAL
FILES 		Ancient Dynasties, from History of China, online edition of the Army Area Handbook, posted by Leon Poon ; gives names in transcription and in Chinese characters
The Zhou Dynasty, 1027-777, from China and East Asia Chronology, from North Park
Chinese History Timeline, from Daoism Depot
Online Map of Spring & Autumn Period, from friesian.com
List of Eastern Chou kings during Spring and Autumn Period, from friesian.com (scroll down)
DOCUMENTS
REFERENCE



This page is part of World History at KMLA
First posted on January 14th 2002, last revised on November 4th 2004

Click here to go Home
Click here to go to Information about KMLA, WHKMLA, the author and webmaster
Click here to go to Statistics