Qin Dynasty

The Qin's become close allies to the Zhou's

771 BCE

During the Zhou dynasty, barbarian invasions made Zhou leaders move eastwards. The state of Qin guards the western frontier, gradually moving eastwards, while occupying the original Zhou territory.

King Ping of Zhou transfers titles of nobility to the Qin

770 BCE

King Ping of Zhou transfers nobility and huge estates to the chief of Qin. This allows the Qin to become more ambitious and better fend off attacks from surrounding regions.

Lord Shang Yang introduces Legalism

361 BCE

The powerful Qin statesman Lord Shang Yang passes a number of reforms throughout the state. He promotes the strict political philosophy of Legalism and establishes the Qin capital at Xianyang.

King Ying Zheng becomes King of Qin

246 BCE

King Ying Zheng (Later called Qin Shi Huang), aged 12 to 13, becomes King of Qin. He would ultimately lead Qin to victory in the Warring States period.

Qin controls a major part of China

230 BCE

During the Warring States period, Qin gradually gains power through well planned attacks. When the final battle to unify China begins around 230 BCE, Qin controls one-third of all the land under cultivation in China and one-third of China's total population.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang unifies China and begins the Qin dynasty

221 BCE

Ying Zheng, King of Qin, emerges victorious from the Warring States period in China and unifies the country. He begins the Qin dynasty and names himself Shi Huangdi, or "first emperor."

Shi Huangdi expands southwards

214 BCE

After securing territories to the north, Shi Huangdi sends the majority of his army south to conquer southern tribes. He greatly expands the southern territories of the empire.

Construction begins on the Grand Canal

214 BCE

During his travels to the south, Shi Huangdi commences construction on the Grand Canal, which is used heavily for supplying and reinforcing troops during secondary campaigns.

Construction on the Great Wall of China begins

214 BCE

Hoping to protect the country from invasion, Shi Huangdi orders that the previously-built portions of the Great Wall of China be connected into one long, unbroken structure.

Shi Huangdi orders the burning of the books

213 BCE

As part of his Legalist political beliefs, Shi Huangdi requires that all books that do not support his Legalism be destroyed. He orders these books to be burned, and only texts on farming, medicine, and predictions are saved.

Shi Huangdi becomes obsessed with immortality

213 BCE

Following several assassination attempts, Shi Huangdi becomes obsessed with death and the concept of eternal life. Evidence suggests he may have begun searching for an elixir of immortality.

Scholars are executed

212 BCE

On the advice of his chief adviser Li Siu, Shi Huangdi orders scholars to be executed, since many scholars opposed the burning of the books.

Shi Huangdi dies

210 BCE

First Emperor Shi Huangdi dies on a journey through China. He is buried with an army of 8,000 terracotta warriors in his palace tomb.

Shi Huangdi's weak second son takes the throne

210 BCE

Prime minister Li Siu dared to place Hu Hai, the weak second son of Shi Huangdi, on the throne. Due to the weakness of Hu Hai, the oppressed people of China grow bolder and soon begin to revolt.

The Qin government collapses

206 BCE

Following Shi Huangdi's death, the Qin government can no longer keep China unified. Rebel forces, each claiming the Mandate of Heaven, form across the country. Qin authority is finally overthrown in the capital of Xianyang in 206 BCE, and a series of battles for supreme authority commences.