<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>
<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>
where did the mandate of heaven come from
where did the mandate of heaven come from
the kings of the Zhou dynasty
the kings of the Zhou dynasty