<P> Mencius, a great philosopher who many thought was the successor to Confucius, said: </P> <P> The people are of supreme importance; the altars of the gods of earth and grain come next; last comes the ruler . That is why he who gains the confidence of the multitudinous people will be Emperor...When a feudal lord endangers the altars of the gods of earth and grain, he should be replaced . When the sacrificial animals are sleek, the offerings are clean and the sacrifices are observed at due times, and yet floods and droughts come (by the agency of heaven), then the altars should be replaced . </P> <P> The concept of the Mandate of Heaven was first used to support the rule of the kings of the Zhou dynasty (1046--256 BCE), and legitimize their overthrow of the earlier Shang dynasty (1600--1069 BCE). It was used throughout the history of China to legitimize the successful overthrow and installation of new emperors, including non-Han ethnic monarchs such as the Qing dynasty (1636--1912). This concept was also used by monarchs in neighboring countries like Korea and Vietnam . </P> <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 . (November 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Where did the mandate of heaven come from