Good afternoon!
Have your notebooks and something to write with. Take a moment and answer the following
question in your notebook: Tell me everything you know about China up to 475 BCE.
Take attendance.
Today, we’re going to talk about a period of time in China’s history that was very violent but also
resulted in the development of China as a whole. You have a copy of these notes in front of you
to follow along.
The warring states period in China took place from 475 BCE to 221 BCE. It was a period of
continual violence between seven states - Qi (Chee), Chu (Choo), Zhao (Chao), Wei (Way),
Han, Yan, and Qin (Chin).
This period of time brought about several improvements to military technology, culture, and
intellectual development.
Military -
During this time, foot soldiers were armed rather than aristocrats riding in chariots. This process
benefited larger states with more men and resources which allowed them to win over smaller
states. However, this forced smaller states to band together to take on the larger states.
Cultural -
Previously, art in the state of Zhao revolved around bronze crafting with various designs. During
the Warring States period, the designs changed to pictorial subjects, including hunting scenes,
chariots and horsemen. Gold, silver, and jade were used heavily in ornamental carvings, mostly
used during funeral or ritual purposes.
China went through a bit of an industrial revolution during this time. Ox-drawn plows,
crossbows, horseback riding, large-scale irrigation were some of the important aspects of this
revolution. Among these, roads and canals were constructed, money was developed,
chopsticks began to be used, and Chinese writing was created.
Intellectual -
Confucianism, Daoism, and legalism grew during this time. Confucius and other Chinese
philosophers developed literature. This writing became studied as the origin of their civilization.
After all the fighting, the Warring States were finally unified under the state of Qin. The state of
Qin had a strong military and a centralized government. The Qin government turned to
authoritarianism, standardized the writing system, measurements of length, weight, and width of
highways, abolished feudal privileges, and began building the first Great Wall.
Now, in your notebook, you’re going to answer an SCR in your notebook about how China was
impacted by the Warring States period. The question is: How did the Warring States period
influence military, cultural, and intellectual development of ancient China? Use specific
examples to support your response.
