Warring States Period

:Alternative meaning: Warring States Period (Japan)

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The Warring States Period (traditional Chinese: 戰國時代, simplified Chinese: 战国时代 pinyin Zhànguó Shídài) takes place from sometime in the 5th century BC to the unification of China by Qin in 221 BC. It is nominally considered to be the second part of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, following the Spring and Autumn Period. Like the Spring and Autumn Period, the king of Zhou acted merely as a figurehead. The name Warring States Period was named after 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 State of Jin, is also sometimes considered as the beginning of the period.

Related Topics:
Traditional Chinese - Simplified Chinese - Pinyin - 5th century BC - 221 BC - Eastern Zhou Dynasty - Spring and Autumn Period - Figurehead - Record of the Warring States - Han Dynasty - 475 BC - 403 BC - State of Jin

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The Warring States Period, in contrast to the Spring and Autumn Period, was a period when regional warlords annexed smaller states around them and consolidated their rule. The process began in the Spring and Autumn Period, and by the 3rd century BC, seven major states had risen to prominence. These Seven Warring States (戰國七雄/战国七雄 Zhànguó Qīxióng, literally "Seven Heroes among the Warring States"), were the Qi (齊), the Chu (楚), the Yan (燕), the Han (韓), the Zhao (趙), the Wei (魏) and the Qin (秦). Another sign of this shift in power was a change in title: warlords still considered themselves dukes (公 pinyin: gōng) of the Zhou Dynasty king; but now the warlords began to call themselves kings (王 pinyin: wáng), meaning they were equal to the Zhou king.

Related Topics:
Spring and Autumn Period - 3rd century BC - Seven Warring States - Qi - Chu - Yan - Han - Zhao - Wei - Qin - Pinyin - Zhou Dynasty

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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.

Related Topics:
Iron working - Bronze - Sichuan - Zhejiang - Great Wall of China - Hundred Schools of Thought - Confucianism - Mencius - Taoism - Zhuang Zi - Legalism - Han Feizi - Mohism - Mozi - Trade

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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 Ssu-ma, Sun Tzu's Art of War, Wu Tzu, Wei Liao Tzu, Three strategies of Huang Shih kung, and The questions and replies of T'ang t'ai tsung and Li Wei-kung. 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.)

Related Topics:
Sun Tzu - The Art of War

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