Final answer:
The Zhou dynasty lost its grip on power due to the growing autonomy and military strength of feudal lords, internal warfare, and the inability of the central monarchy to maintain control, all culminating in the Warring States period and the rise of the Qin dynasty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Zhou dynasty lost control of its kingdom due to a confluence of factors that led to its decline and fall. Initially, the decentralized feudal system allowed the Zhou to control a vast territory by enfeoffing lands to relatives and allies. Over time, however, this structure weakened as local leaders, or feudal lords, started to amass greater power and ignore the king's commands, leading to increased internal strife and warfare among them.
Local leaders in the feudal states began fighting with one another for more power, and as the feudal states gained strength, the central authority of the Zhou waned. The Zhou allowed local leaders to hold significant powers, roughly analogous to their own, which reduced the central monarchy's direct influence. Additionally, the Zhou dynasty's inability to control the states was exacerbated during the Warring States period, where constant conflict among the seven major states resulted in further destabilization.
Technological advancements, such as the shift from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, also played a role in altering power dynamics as states like Qin began to assert dominance. These evolving circumstances led to the ultimate disintegration of Zhou rule and the rise of the Qin dynasty, which established a centralized imperial system.