Question

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION: Remember to Restate the Question and answer in at least three sentences!
How does the concept of the Mandate of Heaven function in ancient Chinese government? Explain how power is changed from one dynasty to another and how natural disasters or victories/losses at war impacted this highest force of nature.

Answer 1

The Zhou created the Mandate of Heaven: the idea that there could be only one legitimate ruler of China at a time, and that this ruler had the blessing of the gods. They used this Mandate to justify their overthrow of the Shang, and their subsequent rule.