Chapter II: THE SHANG DYNASTY
(_c._ 1600-1028 B.C.)

1 Period, origin, material culture 19
2 Writing and Religion 22
3 Transition to feudalism 24


_ANTIQUITY_


Chapter III: THE CHOU DYNASTY (_c._ 1028-257 B.C.)

1 Cultural origin of the Chou and end of the Shang dynasty 29
2 Feudalism in the new empire 30
3 Fusion of Chou and Shang 32
4 Limitation of the imperial power 36
5 Changes in the relative strength of the feudal states 38
6 Confucius 40
7 Lao TzÅ­ 45


Chapter IV: THE CONTENDING STATES (481-256 B.C.):

DISSOLUTION OF THE FEUDAL SYSTEM

1 Social and military changes 51
2 Economic changes 53
3 Cultural changes 57