How did the Zhou Dynasty come into power? The Shang Dynasty started out with a good and fair leader. Over 550 years later, the rulers were not good to the people. The last one, Di Xin, tortured and oppressed everyone who was noble. He played favorites among the nobility. This caused them to fight with each other. He acted just as badly as the Xia Dynasty leaders that his ancestors had overthrown more than 500 years earlier.

King Wu of the Zhou saw the problems under Di Xin. He decided to seize control. He met with almost no resistance. In fact, many of Di Xin’s soldiers refused to fight! In order to build more support, Wu and his people opened the prisons, freeing the prisoners. He also gave food from the city’s granaries to the local people. He even took the riches from the palace and gave them out to the soldiers and the people as rewards.

A. King Wu told everyone he was appointed by God

B. The last ruler of the Shang Dynasty tortured and oppressed many people, and caused everyone to fight and be miserable.

C. King Wu was able to defeat the soldiers of Di Xin's, who fought hard to keep Di Xin in power.