Question

How did the Zhou Dynasty use religion to justify overthrowing the Shang Dynasty?

Answer 1

The Zhou Dynasty used the notion of the Mandate of Heaven to defend the overthrow of the Shang Dynasty. The "Mandate of Heaven" is an earliest Chinese philosophical concept, which was created during the Zhou Dynasty(1046-256 BCE). The Mandate of Heaven decides whether a ruler of China is satisfactorily righteous to lead; if he does not accomplish his responsibilities as an emperor, then he fails the Mandate and thus the right to be emperor.  Zhou leaders appealed that the Shang emperors had become fraudulent and unfit, so Heaven commanded their removal.