thumb|Western Zhou bronze pot (896 BC), Fufeng County, ShaanxiBaoji Zhouyuan Museum Zhou rulers introduced the Mandate of Heaven, which would prove to be among East Asia's most enduring political doctrines. According to the theory, Heaven imposed a mandate to replace the Shang with the Zhou, whose moral superiority justified seizing Shang wealth and territory in order to return good governance to the people.
thumb|western zhou bronze pot (896 bc) fufeng county shaanxibaoji zhouyuan museum zhou rulers introduced the mandate of heaven which would prove to be among east asia's most enduring political doctrines according to the theory heaven imposed a mandate to replace the shang with the zhou whose moral superiority justified seizing shang wealth and territory in order to return good governance to the people