Question

How did the Shang dynasty gain and hold on to power?

Answer 1

According to legend, the Shang Dynasty was founded sometime around 1600 BCE by a virtuous man named Cheng Tang, who overthrew the evil king of the legendary Xia. ... It was where the Shang kings kept their most sacred ancestral temples, tablets, and regalia. The political capital was where the kings lived and ruled from. The Shang Dynasty held power by passing it from brother to brother, and then from youngest brother to his oldest son.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

They gained power by believing that they were the most powerful of all. They built a palace and temple that stood at the center of the city. The king was the most powerful figure, serving as the political, religious, and military leader of Shang China