Warring States

Alternative meaning: Warring States Period (Japan)

The Warring States Period () covers the period from sometime in the 5th Century BC to the unification of China by the Qin in 221 BC . It is nominally considered to be the second part of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty , following the Spring And Autumn Period , although the Zhou dynasty itself ended in 256 BC , 35 years earlier than the Warring States period. Like the Spring And Autumn Period , the king of Zhou acted merely as a Figurehead . The name Warring States Period was derived from the '' Record Of The Warring States '' compiled in early Han Dynasty . The date for the beginning of the Warring States Period is somewhat in dispute. While it is frequently cited as 475 BC (following the Spring And Autumn Period ), 403 BC - the date of the tripartition of the Jin (state) - is also sometimes considered as the beginning of the period.

The Warring States Period, in contrast to the king; but now the warlords began to call themselves kings (王 Pinyin : wáng), meaning they were equal to the Zhou king.

The Warring States Period saw the proliferation of Iron Working in China, replacing Bronze as the dominant metal used in warfare. Areas such as Shu (modern Sichuan ) and Yue (modern Zhejiang ) were also brought into the Chinese cultural sphere during this time. Walls built by the states to keep out northern nomadic tribes and each other were the precursors of the Great Wall Of China . Different philosophies developed into the Hundred Schools Of Thought , including Confucianism (elaborated by Mencius ), Taoism (elaborated by Zhuang Zi ), Legalism (formulated by Han Feizi ) and Mohism (formulated by Mozi ). Trade also became important, and some merchants had considerable power in politics. Military tactics also changed. Unlike the Spring and Autumn Period, most armies in the Warring States Period made combined use of infantry and cavalry, and the use of chariots gradually fell into disfavor.

This was also around the time legendary military strategist Sun Tzu wrote '' The Art Of War '' which is recognized today as the most influential, and oldest known military strategy guide. Along with this are other military writings that make up the 7 military classics of ancient China which are made up of T'ai Kungs Six secret teachings, The Methods of the Sima, Sun Bin's Art of War, Wu Qi, Wei Liao Tzu, Three strategies of Huang Shi Gong, and The Questions and Replies of Tang Tai Zong and Li Wei Gong (the last being made ±800 years later after this era ended). Once China was unified, these 7 military classics were locked away and access was restricted due to their tendency to promote revolution. (Today all seven can be found in one book entitled "The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China" by Ralph D. Sawyer.)

PARTITION OF JIN

In the . Zhi Yao (智瑶), the last head of the Zhi family, attempted a coalition with the Wei family and the Han family to destroy the Zhao family. However, because of Zhi Yao's arrogance and disrespect towards the other families, the Wei family and Han family secretly allied with the Zhao family, and the three families launched a surprise attack that annihilated the Zhi family.

In , the State Of Zhao , and the State Of Wei . The three family heads were given the title of Marquess (侯), and because the three states were originally part of Jin , they are also referred to as the Three Jins (三晉). The State Of Jin continued to exist with a tiny piece of territory until 376 BC when the rest of the territory was partitioned by the Three Jins.

CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT IN QI

In 389 BC , the Tian (田) family seized control of the State Of Qi and was given the title of Duke. The old Jiang (姜) family's State Of Qi continued to exist with a small piece of territory until 379 BC , when it was finally absorbed into Tian family's State Of Qi .

EARLY STRIFE IN THE THREE JINS, QI, AND QIN

In 371 BC , Marquess Wu Of Wei died without specifying a successor, causing Wei to fall into an internal war of succession. After three years of civil war, Zhao and Han , sensing an opportunity, invaded Wei . On the verge of conquering Wei , the leaders of Zhao and Han fell into disagreement on what to do with Wei and both armies mysteriously retreated. As a result, King Hui Of Wei (he's still a Marquess at the time) was able to ascend onto the throne of Wei .

In was decisively defeated. The event spawned the famous phrase "圍魏救趙", meaning attacking Wei to save Zhao .

In 341 BC , Wei attacked Han , and Qi interfered again. The two generals from the previous Battle Of Guiling met again, and due to the brilliant strategy of Sun Bin , Wei was again decisively defeated at the Battle Of Maling (馬陵之戰).

The situation for Wei took an even worse turn when Qin , taking advantage of Wei series of defeats by Qi , attacked Wei in 340 BC under the advice of famous Qin reformer Shang Yang (商鞅). Wei was devastatingly defeated and was forced to cede a large portion of its territory to achieve a truce. This left their capital Anyi vulnerable, so Wei was also forced to move their capital to Daliang .

After these series of events, Wei became severely weakened, and the Qi and Qin became two of the dominant states in China.

SHANG YANG'S REFORMS IN QIN

Around 359 BC , Shang Yang (商鞅), a minister of the State Of Qin , initiated a series of reforms that transformed Qin from a backward state into one that surpasses the other six states. It is generally regarded that this is the point where Qin started to become the most dominant state in China.

See Shang Yang 's page for a summary of the reforms and policies that was instituted.

ASCENSION OF THE KINGDOMS

In 334 BC , the rulers of Wei and Qi agreed to recognize each other as Kings (王), formalizing the independence of the states and the powerlessness of the Zhou throne since the beginning of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty . The King of Wei and the King of Qi joined the ranks of the King of Chu , whose predecessors had been Kings since the Spring And Autumn Period . From this point on, all the other states eventually declare their Kingship, signifying the beginning of the end of the Zhou Dynasty .

In 325 BC , the ruler of Qin declared himself as King.

In 323 BC , the rulers of Han and Yan declared themselves as King.

In 318 BC , the ruler of Song declared himself as King.

The ruler of Zhao held out until around 299 BC , and was the last to declare himself as King.

CHU EXPANSION AND DEFEATS

Early in the Warring States Period, Chu was one of the strongest states in China. The state rose to a new level around 389 BC when the King of Chu named the famous reformer Wu Qi (吳起) to be his prime minister.

Chu rose to its peak in 334 BC when it gained vast amounts of territory. The series of events leading up to this began when Yue prepared to attack Qi . The King of Qi sent an emissary who persuaded the King of Yue to attack Chu instead. Yue initiated a large scale attack at Chu , but was devastatingly defeated by Chu 's counter-attack. Chu then proceeded to conquer the State Of Yue (越).

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THE DOMINATION OF QIN AND THE RESULTING GRAND STRATEGIES

Towards the end of the Warring States Period, the ; and Lianheng (連橫/连横 Pinyin : liánhéng, "horizontally linked"), or alliance with Qin to participate in its ascendancy. There were some initial successes in Hezong, though it eventually broke down. Qin repeatedly exploited the Lianheng strategy to defeat the states one by one. During this period, many philosophers and tacticians travelled around the states recommending the rulers to put their respective ideas into use. These "lobbyists" were famous for their tact and intellect, and were collectively known as Zonghengjia (縱橫家), taking its name from the two main schools of thought.

In 316 BC , Qin conquers the Shu area.

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ZHAO'S MILITARY REFORMS

307 BC . Adoption of superior non-Chinese clothing and cavalry (胡服騎射) under the reign of King Wuling Of Zhao

QIN'S CONQUEST OF CHINA

In 230 BC , Qin conquers Han .

In 225 BC , Qin conquers Wei .

In 223 BC , Qin conquers Chu .

In 222 BC , Qin conquers Yan and Zhao .

In 221 BC , Qin conquers Qi , completing the unification of China, and ushering in the Qin Dynasty .

FILMS SET IN THE WARRING STATES PERIOD

The , Zhang Fengyi, and directed by Chen Kaige ) dealing with the first Qin Emperor, and '' The Emperor's Shadow '' (1996) (Starring Jiang Wen , Ge You , and directed by Zhou Xiaowen).

EXTERNAL LINKS

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Warring States