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Qin State

State of Qin (ancient Chinese calligraphy, 220 BC. )

The State of Qin or Ch'in ( EFEO ) () (ca 771 BC. - 207 BC. ) appears at the beginning of the dynasty of Eastern Zhou in the Valley the Wei (present province of Shaanxi ). Semi-barbarian in the western confines of China Zhou, its influence increases during the period of Spring and Autumn and especially the Warring States , at the end of which the King of Qin, who annexed his six rivals ( Qi , Chu , Han , Yan , Zhao and Wei ) founded the Qin Dynasty ( -221 - -207 ). The ruling family was known as Qin Ying ().

Summary

Origins

According to Sima Qian , the princes of Qin is said to descend from the emperor Zhuanxu (one of five sovereigns ). One of their ancestors, Dafei, who had helped the Great Yu 's work was honored by the Emperor Shun , who gave him the surname Ying reward.

Descendants of Dafei split into two branches:

  • a western branch, located in Quanqiu (the hill to the dogs) in the valley of the Wei (near modern Tianshui ), which became the ruling family of Qin
  • an eastern branch, east of the Yellow River , which became the royal family of Zhao

The western branch was ennobled by King Xiao of Zhou ( IX centuryBC. ). The princes of Qin good relations with the barbarians Rong who lived in the west, the king of Zhou saw in this alliance a way to preserve his kingdom. In the early eighth century ( -771 ), the dogs attacked the capital Rong Zhou, who must flee to the east. Prince of Qin protects the flight of the royal house, and shall be given in fee all western territories that resume to Rong. Qin becomes one of the feudal princes.

The period of Spring and Autumn

Qin continued to become more powerful over the centuries, particularly because of the tremendous industrial capacity of its people. The Dukes of Qin put in place a number of projects to improve their state, including many large-scale public works like irrigation canals and powerful defensive walls. In addition, the Qin was a semi-barbarous people, descended from the tribe of Chinese non-Rong, from the steppes. Thus, early in its history, the Qin had to deal with other states "completely Chinese" that lined its borders.

The period of the Warring

Shang Yang

The most significant event in the history of Qin before the third century BC. BC was the arrival in power of Shang Yang. Shang Yang was a strong supporter of the philosophy of Han Fei Zi , who is considered the first to describe the ideology known as the Legalism. The Legalism asserts that all people are fundamentally equal and that stringent laws and harsh punishments are necessary to maintain order.

Shang Yang became prime minister under the government of the Qin Xiao Duke and transforms the state into a vigorously regulated machine, whose sole purpose was to eliminate his rivals. Shang Yang puts away the aristocracy and based on a meritocracy, in which only those who proved their value could reach high positions and the birthright was reserved only to the head of the state. Shang Yang brought upon himself so many enemies and after the death of Duke Xiao was pursued and finally killed. But the legal reforms of Shang Yang had certain advantages and none of the successors ventured to repeal them.

One of the most significant outcomes of this reform program involved the military. Previously the army had traditionally been controlled by nobles. After the reform, the generals could come from any class of society if they had the required skills. In addition, the troops became highly trained and disciplined. But what mattered most is that the Army of the Qin grew rapidly to enormous size and could rely on the entire state. The numerous public works projects, promoting increased agricultural production, allowed Qin to maintain regular troops of over one million soldiers, none of the other States could do (apart, perhaps The semi-barbaric kingdom of Chu ).

The expansion of the Qin

In 260 BC. BC , China discovered the full power of the Qin reforms in the field of war. All remnants of the aristocracy had disappeared for a gross efficiency. After the Battle of Changping Generals Qin ordered the execution of some 400,000 prisoners of war in the neighboring kingdom of Zhao.

In the mid- third century BC. BC , Qin began a massive project to confirm his supremacy. The kingdom of Han was frightened by the expansion of the Qin to the east, which would probably at their expense. The king tries to kill Han Qin, not guns, which would have been useless, but using a hydraulic engineer. The Qin had shown their penchant for building very large channels, such as that of the irrigation scheme of Min River. The idea of the engineer Zheng Guo was to convince the king of Qin to devote its resources in a channel even greater. Qin agreed to construct this book ruinous, but unfortunately for Han their plan failed. Although he actually succeeded in delaying the expansion of the Qin, he would not allow to overcome the resources of the Qin. After completion of the canal in 246 BC. AD , all losses were caught and the Qin kingdom even have a large surplus. Qin became one of the most fertile States and China could raise hundreds of thousands of troops, relying on the expansion of agriculture of the state.

At that time, the number of feudal states had been reduced from several hundred in seven major kingdoms. The two most powerful state were the Qin and Chu. However, the expansion of the latter had been thwarted by resistance from neighboring states. Instead, the Qin was able to easily attach the weak neighboring states and, although Chu was able to finally overcome the Yue , in the late fourth century BC. AD , the long military campaign had exhausted its resources. Despite all this, Chu remained a potential rival to the growing power of Qin.

The most immediate enemies were the Qin Zhao and Han who were both powerful, but without a serious threat to the strength of Qin with its numerous and powerful armies. It took longer cope with the Zhou kings in theory still masters of China. In 256 BC. AD they were filed, resolving the problem permanently. This action was a clear message to the Qin other six kingdoms: Qin's intention to direct the whole of China.

Formation of the Empire

The Qin empire in 210 BC. BC during the Qin Dynasty.

The year 256 BC. AD marks the beginning of the end of the period of Warring States , because it saw the arrival on the throne of Qin a thirteen year old boy named Ying Zheng, under the regency of the Chancellor L Buwei. Sixteen years later, Ying Zheng was to begin the long campaign to unify China by an invasion of the State of Han, as advocated by the new minister, the lawyer Li Si.

The powerful army of the Qin overcomes the Han -230 ; Qin turned to Zhao, whose army was routed at Changping thirty years earlier. The Zhao falls in 228 BC. AD , then Wei soon followed. From there, it seemed likely that the final victory of Qin was near. But nothing was certain until the Chu stood face to Qin.

At this time, which should remain as the two greatest armies of the kingdoms met in battle for control of China. In 223 BC. BC Qin's victory became inevitable, with the conquest of Chu.

What followed was more than just cleaning. A campaign of several months in the Yan allowed the annexation of that State. Only the Qi but remained before the inexorable advance of the Qin, he gave up without a fight.

In the year 221 BC. AD , which marks a major turning point of the long history of China, King Ying Zheng of Qin declared himself not only master of all China, but also developing a new name, which raised him to a dignity never reached (except for sovereign mythical founders ): Qin Shi Huangdi (), the First Emperor and ordered all the leaders of his dynasty after his example.

Milestones

Leaders

State of Qin
(Bronze, 800 BC )

The dates of reigns are those provided by Sima Qian , in the tables in Shiji (Chapters 14 and 15). Other texts, or different chapters of the Shiji give slightly different dates. The beginning of each reign is the year preceding the death of the sovereign, the year preceding the first year shown in the chronicles.

  1. Qin Zhong (), reigned from -845 to -822 : great grand-son of Feizi
  2. Duke Zhuang (), reigned from -822 to -778 : Ying Ye (), son of Qin Zhong
  3. Duke Xiang (), reigned from -778 to -766 : son of the Duke Zhuang
  4. Duke Wen (), reigned from -766 to -716
  5. Duke Ning (), reigned from -716 to -704
  6. Prince Chu (), reigned from -704 to -698 , the usurper, he does not receive the posthumous title of duke
  7. Duke Wu (), reigned from -698 to -678
  8. Duc De (), reigned from -678 to -676
  9. Duke Xuan (), reigned from -676 to -664
  10. Duke Cheng (), reigned from -664 to -660
  11. Duke Mu (), reigned from -660 to -621
  12. Duke Kang (): Ying Ying (), reigned from -621 to -609
  13. Duke Gong (): Ying Yong (), reigned from -609 to -604
  14. Duke Huan (): Ying Rong (), reigned from -604 to -577
  15. Duke Jing (): Ying Hu (), reigned from -577 to -537
  16. Duke Ai (), reigned from -537 to -501
  17. Duke Hui (), reigned from -501 to -491
  18. Duc Dao (), reigned from -491 to -477
  19. Duke Li () or Ligong (): Ying Ci (), reigned from -477 to -443
  20. Duke Zao (), reigned from -443 to -429
  21. Duke Huai (), reigned from -429 to -425
  22. Duke Ling (): Su Ying (), reigned from -425 to -415
  23. Duke Jian (): Ying Daozi (), reigned from -415 to -400
  24. Duke II Hui (), reigned from -400 to -387
  25. Chu Duc (), reigned from -387 to -385
  26. Duke Xian (): Ying Shit (), reigned from -385 to -362
  27. Duke Xiao (), reigned from -362 to -338
  28. King Huiwen (), reigned from -338 to -311 , also known as King Hui (): Ying Si (), takes the title of king -325
  29. King Wu (), reigned from -311 to -307 : Ying Dang ()
  30. King Zhaoxiang (), reigned from -307 to -251 , also known as the King of Zhao Ying Ze () or Ying Ji ()
  31. King Xiaowen (), reigned from -251 to -250 : Ying Zhu ()
  32. King Zhuangxiang (), reigned from -250 to -247 : Ying Zichu ()
  33. Qin Shi Huangdi (), reigned from -247 to -210 (as King of Qin () to -221 , as the First Emperor () from -221 ): Ying Zheng ()
  34. Qin Er Shi , reigned from -210 to -207 : Ying Huhai ()
  35. Ziying (), reigned from mid-October to early December of the year -207

Bibliography

  • Denis Twitchett and Michael Loewe, The Cambridge History of China. Volume 1: The Ch'in and Han Empires, 221 BC-AD 220, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge ua 1986.
Principalities of the period of Spring and Autumn (VIII - V centuryBC.)
Zhongguo Domaine Royal Zhou Cao Chen Lu Song Teng Wei Zheng Zou
Principalities Periperi Chu Jin Qi Qin Wu Yan Yue
Previous period: Zhou Dynasty - period: Warring
Principalities Period Warring States (fifth century BC. - 221 BC. )
The seven major states Chu Han Qi Qin Wei Yan Zhao
Other Territories Domaine Royal Zhou Ba Lu Shu Song Wei Yue Zheng Zhongshan Zou
Previous period: Period Spring and Autumn - period: Qin Dynasty


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