A semi-[G 14 / nomadic] clan, the Western Zhou Dynasty ruled as a feudal monarchy that was largely peaceful until the ninth century BC. Socially, the Western Zhou resembled the Shang in many ways, primarily with the existence of a nobility, a sharp distinction between the classes, and a system of ancestor worship.
Around 771BC, the Western Zhou Dynasty gave way to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. The Eastern Zhou is divided into two parts: the Spring and Autumn period, which is generally associated with [G 05 / Confucius], and the Warring States period, during which various kingdoms built earthen defences against their neighbors. This followed a period of upheaval and change during which the Western Zhou capital of Hao was ransacked.
The Eastern Zhou period is generally thought to be culturally significant. For one, history began to be recorded officially during this time. In addition, Confucianism and [G 06 / Daoism] replaced ancient religion, and military developments introduced innovative methods of defence and siege. The social structure also began to be reorganized - although not all schools of thought are in agreement on this issue. Other advances during this period included the use of horses - which began to be ridden instead of driven - and the creation of iron implements.
MENTION OF THE FIRST WALLS IS DOCUMENTED:
Mention was made of walls as early as the ninth century BC when the Zhou king built a small wall in response to attacks by the Xiangyun tribe. The first written references to walls were made in 656BC, when the wall in the state of Chu was mentioned. This wall ran a few hundred miles along the intersection between Hubei, Shaanxi and Henan provinces. Its ruins have never been found.
The states of Qi, Wei, Han, Zhao, Yan and Qin followed with walls, as did smaller states. The Qi built walls in the fifth century BC (some ruins can be found in today's Shandong), the state of Wei built eastern and western walls in 361BC and 356BC, Yen built walls in Inner Mongolia and in northern China, among others. These early walls, which contributed to understanding wall-building and its purposes in ancient China, were not thought to form part of the Great Wall concept. In the fourth century BC, the [G 17 / principalities] of Yan, Zhao and Qin built long walls to keep out raiding [G 14 / nomadic] tribes. These formed the main foundation of the Qin wall.
