Zhou dynasty summary

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Below is the article summary. For the full article, see Zhou dynasty.

Zhou dynasty, or Chou dynasty, (1046–256 bc)Ancient Chinese dynasty that gave China its historically identifying political and cultural characteristics. The period before 771 bc is known as the Western Zhou; the period from 771 bc on is called the Eastern Zhou and is further divided into the Spring and Autumn period (770–476) and the Warring States period (475–221). During the Zhou dynasty, iron, ox-drawn plows, crossbows, and horseback riding were introduced; large-scale irrigation projects were instituted; the Chinese writing system was further developed; and the great Chinese philosophers of antiquity, including Confucius, Mencius, and Zhuangzi, lived and taught. Pottery and bronzework expanded on the traditions of the earlier Shang dynasty, as did work in jade and lacquer.

government Summary

Government, the political system by which a country or community is administered and regulated. Most of the key words commonly used to describe governments—words such as monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy—are of Greek or Roman origin. They have been current for more than 2,000 years and have not

China Summary

China, country of East Asia. It is the largest of all Asian countries. Occupying nearly the entire East Asian landmass, it covers approximately one-fourteenth of the land area of Earth, and it is almost as large as the whole of Europe. China is also one of the most populous countries in the world,