Question

Which of the following was an aspect of Shang rule that the Zhou adopted in China?

a. a patrimonial state centered on ancestor worship
b. a state in which the rulers came to power through the designation of oracles
C. direct control of peripheral states through appointed governors
d. complementary power of kings and queens

Answer 1

The aspect of Shang rule that the Zhou adopted in China was a state in which the rulers came to power through the designation of oracles. This practice was known as the "Mandate of Heaven" and played a significant role in legitimizing the authority of the Zhou dynasty.

The Zhou dynasty, which succeeded the Shang dynasty, ruled ancient China from around 1046 BCE to 256 BCE. During this period, they adopted several aspects of Shang rule, but the most notable one was the concept of the Mandate of Heaven. The Mandate of Heaven was a belief system that held that the ruler's right to govern was granted by divine approval. According to this ideology, a ruler's legitimacy was determined by their ability to maintain harmony and order in society. If a ruler failed to do so, it was believed that they had lost the Mandate of Heaven, and another ruler could rise to power.

The Zhou dynasty used the concept of the Mandate of Heaven to justify their overthrow of the Shang dynasty. They claimed that the last Shang ruler had become corrupt and tyrannical, losing the divine favor necessary to rule. The Zhou leaders presented themselves as virtuous and capable rulers who had received the Mandate of Heaven to establish a new dynasty.

By adopting this aspect of Shang rule, the Zhou dynasty sought to legitimize their authority and gain support from both their subjects and neighboring states. The belief in the Mandate of Heaven provided a moral framework for governance and served as a unifying force within Chinese society.

In addition to adopting the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, the Zhou dynasty also incorporated other aspects of Shang rule into their governance. These included a patrimonial state centered on ancestor worship and complementary power between kings and queens. However, direct control of peripheral states through appointed governors was not an aspect that the Zhou adopted from the Shang.

Overall, it was the concept of the Mandate of Heaven that the Zhou dynasty adopted from the Shang rule in China. This belief system played a crucial role in legitimizing their authority and shaping the political and social landscape of ancient China.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The aspect of Shang rule that the Zhou adopted was a patrimonial state centered on ancestor worship.

Step-by-step explanation:

An aspect of Shang rule that the Zhou adopted in China was a patrimonial state centered on ancestor worship. In both the Shang and Zhou dynasties, family lineage and ancestor worship played a significant role in the political structure. The kings in both dynasties were seen as the intermediaries between the human realm and the spiritual realm, and their authority was legitimized through the belief in their connection to their ancestors.

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