One significant achievement that contributed to the eventual downfall of the Zhou Dynasty was the establishment of the feudal system and the granting of land to nobles. Initially, this system allowed local lords to maintain order and manage their territories effectively, which helped the Zhou consolidate power and expand their influence. However, over time, these feudal lords grew increasingly powerful and independent, often acting in their own interests rather than in service to the Zhou king.
As the Zhou central authority weakened, infighting among the nobility increased, leading to fragmentation and civil conflict. This decentralization of power undermined the Zhou Dynasty's ability to govern effectively, resulting in internal strife and eventually contributing to the rise of rival states during the Eastern Zhou period, particularly during the Warring States era. The collapse of centralized authority and the loss of control over the feudal lords played a critical role in the downfall of the Zhou Dynasty around the 3rd century BCE.