What Happened C.1150 BCE?

Question: Discuss and write down why, how and what had happened to have caused an end to the Shang Dynasty. Present your findings on your blog. Support your conclusion with evidence (primary or/and secondary).

Fall of the Shang Dynasty





(Image taken from http://www.artsmia.org/art-OF-asia/history/shang-dynasty-map.cfm)

The last Shang was killed in c. 1150 BCE. The dynasty that ruled next was the Western Zhou dynasty (1027- 771 BCE). The Zhou kings had a similar culture to the Shang kings. Thus, the change in dynasty did not result in the end of the Shang Civilisation.Around 771 BCE, a group of people killed the Zhou king. This forced his own son to move his capital eastward. His dynasty was known as the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (771-221 BCE).

However, fighting between the people continued and the last 232 years of the Eastern Zhou dynasty was known as the Period of the Warring States. During this period, the northern part of China was broken up into several competing kingdoms. Finally in 221 BCE, a prince managed to unite these kingdoms to form the first Chinese empire under the the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE).