QIN STATE

The state of Qin was the most dynamic of the seven principal states during the "Warring States" period (475-221 BC). The other major feudal states generally considered Qin people non-Chinese barbarians from the far Western borders of civilization and in the early years of the Warring States Period Qin was belittled and denied presence at meetings of sovereigns to form alliances and conclude treaties.

Qin state's origin in the Wei River basin (today's Shaanxi Province). Its surrounding mountains offered a good defense position.

The origin of Qin as a vassal state can be traced back to 770 BC when Duke Xiang of the Ying clan aided King Ping of (Eastern) Zhou in moving his capital from Haojing (West of today's Xi'an) to Luoyi (near today's Luoyang). In return for his services Duke Xiang was made vassal lord of a fiefdom called Qin.

Qin capital originally had its seat in Yong, but later moved to Jingyang, then Liyang and finally in 370 BC to Xianyang, all in today's Shaanxi Province.

Qin was no wealthy state but had sufficient access to salt, lead, copper, silver and the - for farming and warring - all important iron ore. 

Subduing Its Nearest Neighbors (475 - 360 BC)
The Qin state at first expanded its territory westward at the expense of the Rong people subduing these in the 4th Century BC. Learning from other states, notably Qi in the far east, Qin had already by 408 modernized its government and replaced land tax payable in labor with monetary payments.

Qin often clashed with its large neighbor to the north-east, the state of Jin. Things therefore took a positive turn for Qin when in 403 the state of Jin was partitioned between three influential families creating the states of Han, Zhao and Wei. These (smaller) states devoted much of their resources to interstate fighting leaving Qin to grab territory elsewhere.

Qin seized the opportunity to subdue the people to its southwest, the Di. Defense walls were created to the north at the edge of the Ordos desert.

A New Order -Shang Yang & the Legalists (360 - 340 BC)
In 361 a former Wei minister, Shang Yang, defected to Qin -an event that would ultimately push Qin further towards its ultimate objective of domination of all major states. In 356 Duke Xiao, the Qin ruler, entrusted Shang Yang to launch a large-scale reform program and the latter promptly proceeded to perfect within the Qin state the school of Legalism.

As chief adviser Shang Yang implemented reforms, the sole goal of which was to cement and preserve the Duke's power. Harmony of interest between the ruler and the people became irrelevant.

War was considered an acceptable means to an end. The old chariot system was gradually replaced by cavalry more suitable for battles in mountainous terrain and adopted from Qin's enemies in the west and north . The iron sword was improved and the use of the crossbow was widely expanded as was the use of armor.

Southward Expansion and the Fall of the Zhou Dynasty (340 - 255 BC)
In 338, after the death of his patron, Duke Xiao, Shang Yang was accused of plotting a rebellion and put to death. But his reforms survived him. In 316, Qin began to dismember its neighboring state to the south, the Chu. First by conquering the people of Shu -centered around Chengdu- and later the people of Ba to the east of Shu.

Qin territory now stretched from the northernmost slopes of Huang He (Yellow River) to the Yangtze River. and Qin was by now considered a major threat by the other six major "Warring States". However, their own interstate rivalries as well as their battling against constant incursions from the Xiongnu nomads in the north prevented them from any concerted effort to unite against Qin.

In 256, Qin expanded eastward down Huang He (Yellow R.) and annexed the remaining part of the territory of the original Zhou state around the Zhou capital of Luoyang. Thus ended the Zhou Dynasty that had lasted for over 900 years. 

Tumultuous Leadership (255 - 230 BC)
It would appear that Qin now was posed to successfully attack and dominate all of its neighbors, but another generation would pass before this became reality.

Qin's military advances were delayed due to a quick succession of rulers in a matter of a dozen years until finally King Zheng of Qin ascended the throne in 247 only 13 years old. He became world famous in the 1970's after the discovery of his 7,000+ strong terracotta army in Xi'an, but that's another story.

Qin Unites China (230 - 221 BC)
Shang Yang's reform policies finally after 120 years paid off to such an extent that Qin in the short period of 230-221 was able to conquer all the other major feudal states and establish the first ever Chinese empire (see mapped story). In quick succession, Qin armies conquered the states of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan and Qi. Qin was not equally victorious in all the bloody battles but ultimately Qin's armies prevailed.

In the beginning of this period the other six states finally attempted to form alliances against the Qin, but it was too little and too late. Skillful diplomacy by the Qin -notably by Li Si- kept the states squabbling and distrustful of each other while Qin armies advanced.

By 221, Qin had united the Chinese and although disunited many times since, the deep rooted feeling of unity has remained firmly in place till this very day some 2,200 years later.

The Fall of Qin (221 - 206 BC)
Qin's reign of China would be short-lived. The Legalist model that had worked well to seize power proved less useful in governing an empire. King Zheng, who had now assumed the title of Qin Shihuang ("The First Emperor"), aided by his prime minister, Li Si, proceeded to rule with a hard hand and with ever increasing taxes eventually leading to a rebellion which overthrew the Qin empire in 206 BC. This tale is told elsewhere in The Qin Dynasty.

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