Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty [CP].An ethnic group which established itself as a major Chinese dynasty after overthrowing the Shang Dynasty in about 1027 BC. Once established, the Zhou Dynasty was the longest lasting in Chinese history, surviving down to 256 BC. The dynasty is traditionally divided into two major phases, the Western or Royal Zhou (1027–771 BC) and the Eastern Zhou (770–221 BC). During the Zhou Dynasty many of the numerous small states which characterized China in the first millennium bc were united and organized into successively stronger groupings. Originally a pastoralist people, the Zhou kingdom was organized on a feudal basis. During the Eastern Zhou royal power declined and there was a concomitant growth in the feudal fiefs, some becoming quasi-independent kingdoms. Major developments during Zhou times included the discovery of iron-working, the introduction of coinage, the construction of defensive works that would later form part of the Great Wall...
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