The corruption in this dynasty created the conditions necessary for a new ruling house to rise-the Zhou dynasty. As time went on, however, the rulers' abuse of the other social classes led to social unrest and instability. The government was originally able to control most of its internal affairs due to the firm support provided by the people. During this period, the dynasty enjoyed a period of peace and tranquility in which citizens could make a good living. Notably, the dynasty lasted for a considerable time during which 31 kings ruled over an extended period of 17 generations. The prosperous Shang dynasty saw its rule filled with multiple outstanding accomplishments. Transition between the Shang and the Zhou ( May 2020) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This section needs additional citations for verification.

It was used throughout the history of China to legitimize the successful overthrow and installation of new emperors, including by non- Han Chinese dynasties such as the Qing (1636вЂ“1912). The concept of the Mandate of Heaven was first used to support the rule of the kings of the Zhou dynasty (1046вЂ“256 BC), and legitimize their overthrow of the earlier Shang dynasty (1600вЂ“1069 BC). Throughout Chinese history, times of poverty and natural disasters were often taken as signs that heaven considered the incumbent ruler unjust and thus in need of replacement. Chinese historians interpreted a successful revolt as evidence that Heaven had withdrawn its mandate from the ruler. The Mandate of Heaven was often invoked by philosophers and scholars in China as a way to curtail the abuse of power by the ruler, in a system that had few other checks. Intrinsic to the concept of the Mandate of Heaven was the right of rebellion against an unjust ruler. Retaining the mandate is contingent on the just and able performance of the rulers and their heirs. The concept is in some ways similar to the European concept of the divine right of kings however, unlike the European concept, it does not confer an unconditional right to rule. Chinese dynasties such as the Han and Ming were founded by men of common origins, but they were seen as having succeeded because they had gained the Mandate of Heaven. The Mandate of Heaven does not require a legitimate ruler to be of noble birth, depending instead on how well that person can rule. A brief flow chart depicting the flow of auctoritas in the transfer of the Mandate of Heaven at the transition of dynastic cycles.

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