<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The prosperous Shang dynasty saw its rule filled with many outstanding accomplishments . Notably, the dynasty lasted for a considerable time during which 31 kings ruled over an extended period of 17 generations . During this period, the dynasty enjoyed a period of peace and tranquility in which citizens could make a good living . The government was originally able to control most of its internal affairs due to the firm support provided by the people . As time went on, however, the rulers' abuse of the other social classes led to social unrest and instability . The corruption in this dynasty created the conditions necessary for a new ruling house to rise--the Zhou dynasty . Rebellion against the Shang was led by Zhou Wu . They explained their right to assume rule as coming from the will of heaven . They believed that the Shang ruling house had become morally corrupt, and that the Shang leaders' loss of virtue entitled their own house to take over . The overthrow of the Shang Dynasty, they said, was in accordance with the mandate given by Heaven . </P> <P> After the Zhou became the ruling dynasty, they mostly appointed their own officials . The Zhou Dynasty had their own way of appointing their officials . However, in order to appease some of the citizens, they allowed some Shang beneficiaries to continue governing their small kingdoms in compliance with Zhou rules and regulations . As the empire continued to expand, intermarriage increased because the rulers believed that it was a method of forming strong alliances that enabled them to absorb more countries into the dynasty . In case of a war, the Zhou dynasty boasted an excellent military and technology mostly because of influence from annexed countries . They also excelled in shipbuilding, which, coupled with their discovery of celestial navigation, made them excellent mariners . Intellectually, the Zhou excelled in fields of literature and philosophy while many governmental positions were filled according to the intellectual ability of a candidate . A large amount of literature survives from the Zhou period, including the Book of Changes, Book of History, Book of Etiquette, Book of Song, Book of Odes, and the Book of Rites . Most of these works are commentaries on the progress and political movement of the dynasty . In philosophical terms, Confucius and his followers played an important role in shaping the mentality of the government as defined by the Five Confucian Relationships . These critical thinkers served as a foundation for the government . Their works primarily stressed the importance of the ruling class, respect and their relationship with the lower class . Due to the growing size of the dynasty, it became apparent that a centralized government would lead to a lot of confusion and corruption because the government would not be able to exert its influence or accede to the needs of everyone . To address this political barrier, the dynasty formed a decentralized government in which the empire was broken down into sections . Within these districts were administrators who were appointed by the government, in return, they had to maintain their allegiance to the main internal government . In effect, the Zhou dynasty became a collection of districts . Consequently, this marked the fall of the dynasty as it became difficult for the central government to exert influence on all other regions of the empire . </P>

The mandate of heaven is the idea behind which of the following