Spring and Autumn
(770 - 476 BC.)

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In the Spring and Autumn period Zhou's power declines, the fiefs assume the character of independent "states" and, in the end, Zhou reigns -but no longer rules.

Eastern Zhou

Spring & Autumn Timeline:

Antiques and Anecdotes: 

The Tiny Beginnings of a United "China"
With the aid of a certain Duke Xiang of the Ying clan, King Ping the following year moves Zhou's capital east to Luoyi (near today's Luoyang) marking the beginning of "Eastern Zhou" and the "Spring and Autumn Period".

In return for his services Duke Xiang is made vassal lord of a fiefdom called Qin. It is the very same state of Qin that would grow strong and some 500 years later overrun Luoyang, end the Zhou dynasty, and 35 years afterwards for the first time unite China (Qin = Chin = China).

From 170 to Only 7
The Spring and Autumn Period sees some 170 aristocratic family-states forming alliances and fighting or absorbing each other till only seven major states are left by 476 BC. Despite the tumultuous times large social and economic progress takes place: Private land ownership, breakdown of class barriers, development of infantry armies, circulation of currency, introduction of iron, etc.

Philosophy
The hard times inspire a new class of social thinkers like Confucius and Mencius (read more of the various philosophies under "Warring States") all hoping for a return to the peace and order of the Western Zhou Period. Confucian philosophy however does not catch on until the Han Dynasty some 500 years later.

Other Signs Hinting at a United "China"
However noble, it is not the objective itself of Confucian teaching that is striking. The most remarkable about it -and unique for China- is the underlying idea of a cultural unity being far more important than the political powers which rise and fall upon it! This fundamental premise is even shared by the harsh and brutal Legalists who some 300 years later unite China based upon the concept of a cultural unity. The Legalists in only 15 years of rule implement standardized measurements, weights, currency, language and writing -expediting a feeling of a shared cultural feeling that is to last for millenniums.

The End of Spring and Autumn Period -The Great Wall ?
Despite the continued claim of the Zhou kings to the Mandate of Heaven, fragmentation of the Zhou empire accelerates and power slips away to the family-states. By the late 5th century BC the states begin to build pounded-earth walls along their frontiers, the very beginnings of a concept later to become the foundation of The Great Wall of China.

Zhou's loss of power is finally and indisputably exposed when the loyal family-state of Jin is divided among three families without mandate from Zhou and when the loyal vassal of Qi is deposed by a coup d'etat. In both instances Zhou is clearly helpless to interfere and henceforth Zhou is relinquished to a purely ceremonial role. At this time, 476 BC, only seven major states remain and they now turn on each other for supremacy in the "Warring States Period".