Warring States Period

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Definition

The Warring States period (481/403 BCE - 221 BCE) describes the three centuries when various rival Chinese states battled viciously for territorial advantage and dominance. Ultimately the Qin state was victorious and established the first unified Chinese state. Besides incessant warfare, and probably because of it, the period saw significant developments in society, commerce, agriculture, philosophy, and the arts, setting the foundations for the subsequent flourishing of Imperial China.

More about: Warring States Period

Timeline

  • 771 BCE - 256 BCE
    Eastern Zhou Dynasty in China.
  • c. 481 BCE - 221 BCE
    Warring States Period in China.
  • 470 BCE - 391 BCE
    Life of the Chinese pacifist philosopher Mo Ti, founder of Mohism.
  • 440 BCE - 360 BCE
    Life of Chinese Hedonist Philosopher Yang Zhu.
  • 372 BCE - 289 BCE
    Life of the Confucian philosopher Mencius (Mang-Tze).
  • 364 BCE
    Duke Xin, ruler of Qin, is awarded the title of Hegemon by the Zhou state.
  • 343 BCE
    Xiao, ruler of Qin, is awarded the title of Hegemon by the Zhou state.
  • 328 BCE - 308 BCE
    Rise of the Chinese state of Qin.
  • 326 BCE
    Huiwen, ruler of Qin, is awarded royal status by the Zhou state.
  • c. 280 BCE - c. 233 BCE
    Life of Han Feizi who developed Legalism in China.
  • 278 BCE
    The Qin state captures Ying, the capital of the Chu state.
  • 262 BCE - 260 BCE
    The Battle of Changping, one of the most important battles in the Warring States Period in China between Zhao and Qin.
  • 259 BCE - 210 BCE
    Life of Ying Zheng of Qin, Shi Huangdi, First Emperor of China.
  • 256 BCE
    The army of the state of Qin captures the city of Chengzhou and the last Zhou ruler, King Nan, is killed. End of the Zhou Dynasty.
  • 256 BCE
    The Qin absorbs the remains of the Zhou state.
  • c. 246 BCE - c. 247 BCE
    Prince Ying Zheng becomes King of Qin, age 12 or 13.
  • 230 BCE
    The Qin state defeats the Han state during the Warring States Period.
  • 228 BCE
    The Qin state defeats the Zhao state during the Warring States Period.
  • 225 BCE
    The Qin state defeats the Wei state during the Warring States Period.
  • 223 BCE
    The Qin state absorbs the Chu state during the Warring States Period.
  • 221 BCE - 210 BCE
    First emperor of a united China, Shi Huangti, rules.
  • 221 BCE
    The Qin state defeats the Yan and Qi states during the Warring States Period.
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