Page "History of China" Paragraph 24

The king of Zhou at this time invoked the concept of the Mandate of Heaven to legitimize his rule, a concept that would be influential for almost every succeeding dynasty.

Like Shangdi, Heaven ( tian ) ruled over all the other gods, and it decided who would rule China.

It was believed that a ruler had lost the Mandate of Heaven when natural disasters occurred in great number, and when, more realistically, the sovereign had apparently lost his concern for the people.

In response, the royal house would be overthrown, and a new house would rule, having been granted the Mandate of Heaven.