Question

Describe the structure of the Zhou state.

Answer 1

When the Zhou took power and began organizing their state, they made the king supreme while rewarding loyal vassals (family members, generals, etc.) with lands creating an elite nobility that surrounded the capital. These lords answered the call of the king in times of crisis. Unfortunately, that would also create problems a few hundred years later during the Eastern Zhou period when these individual lords became so powerful that they began to ignore the king and claim their lands as their own.

The "Mandate of Heaven" would also become an important philosophical and religious idea behind Chinese rulers. The Mandate was considered the favor of Heaven for a ruler to hold onto power. As long as they were virtuous, they would continue to have that favor. It provided religious cement to the idea that there can only be one legitimate ruler who wielded absolute power.

If the land suffered droughts, famine, or other mishaps such as rebellion and civil strife, the ruler was said to be losing the Mandate. The Mandate may favor only one ruler, but it was not exclusive to that ruler. If a rebellion succeeded, it was considered that the new ruler now had the Mandate because the former ruler lost their virtuous nature.

But while the land prospered and as long as the ruler kept his subject happy and secure through his virtuous nature, they were believed to still have the Mandate to rule.

Answer 2

okay thanks :)

Answer 3

you're welcome, hope that helped!

Answer 4

It did.