Warring States period

EN-WarringStatesAll260BCE

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Horse Armor, Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng (10170676483)

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Eastern Zhou Bronze Dagger, 7th-3rd C. BC 01b

Early Warring States Period

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Warring States Bronze Warriors (9831196065)

Chinese tomb guardian 300 BC

Warring States Period

The Warring States Period (Chinese: 戰國時代; pinyin: Zhànguó Shídài) was a time of intense warfare and political turmoil in China, lasting from 475 BC to 221 BC. This era followed the Spring and Autumn period and preceded the unification of China under the Qin Dynasty. It is characterized by the division of the Zhou Dynasty's territory into several independent states that were constantly at war with each other, leading to significant social, military, and philosophical developments.

Background

The Warring States Period was part of the larger Eastern Zhou Dynasty, which was divided into two phases: the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States Period. The decline of the Zhou Dynasty's power and the rise of regional lords led to the fragmentation of the realm. These lords declared themselves kings, leading to the establishment of numerous states, each striving for supremacy.

Major States

The period is most notable for the existence of seven major states, known as the "Seven Warring States": Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Qin. These states were constantly engaged in diplomatic maneuvering and military conflicts to gain territorial advantage and hegemony over each other.

Military Innovations

The Warring States Period saw significant military innovations, including the use of iron weapons, cavalry units, and crossbows. The Art of War by Sun Tzu, a military treatise that discusses strategies and tactics, is thought to have been written during this time. The period also saw the construction of extensive defensive walls by several states, which would later be connected to form the Great Wall of China under the Qin Dynasty.

Philosophical Developments

This era was a golden age for Chinese philosophy, known as the Hundred Schools of Thought. It produced various philosophical schools that have profoundly influenced Chinese thought and culture, including Confucianism, founded by Confucius; Daoism, attributed to Laozi; and Legalism, which became the official ideology of the Qin Dynasty. These philosophies offered different solutions to the social and political chaos of the time.

End of the Period

The Warring States Period came to an end when the state of Qin, under the leadership of Qin Shi Huang, succeeded in conquering the other six major states, unifying China in 221 BC. Qin Shi Huang established the Qin Dynasty, becoming the first emperor of a unified China. His rule introduced significant reforms in politics, economy, and culture, but was also marked by tyranny and the destruction of many philosophical texts.

Legacy

The Warring States Period left a lasting legacy on Chinese history and culture. The philosophical schools that emerged during this time continue to influence Chinese thought and values. The period also set the stage for the imperial system that would dominate China for the next two millennia.