Map Introduction

The Warring States period (475 BCE – 221 BCE), also known as the Warring States era, and often abbreviated as the Warring States, historically constitutes the latter half of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. After countless wars of annexation during the Spring and Autumn period (770 BCE – 476 BCE), the number of feudal states was significantly reduced. By the Warring States period, the seven most powerful states were Qin, Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, and Wei. These seven states are referred to as the "Seven Powerful States of the Warring States".

Besides these seven major powers, there were other significant states such as Yue, Ba, Shu, Song, and Zhongshan. Smaller states including Zheng, Wei, Eastern Zhou, Lu, Teng, Zou, and Fei also existed. However, their strength and influence were far inferior to the seven hegemons, forcing them to survive in the interstices between the powerful states, and they were ultimately all annexed by the seven.

The name "Warring States" originates from the Strategies of the Warring States compiled and annotated by Liu Xiang of the Western Han Dynasty. In 453 BCE, Han, Zhao, and Wei defeated the Zhi clan and subsequently partitioned the state of Jin, establishing the structure of the seven rival powers.

The strengthening of the commandery and county system, coupled with states' relentless pursuit of land, wealth, and population through continuous wars of annexation, drove this land—perpetually war-torn since the Spring and Autumn period—towards a new era. Succeeding the turmoil of the Spring and Autumn period and preceding the imperial Qin dynasty, the Warring States period saw the flourishing of the cultural trend known as the "Hundred Schools of Thought". This was a golden age for the development of Chinese thought and scholarship. New economic and technological developments in the Central Plains, comprehensive state-strengthening reforms implemented by various kingdoms, the political maneuvering of famous strategists, and the battlefield clashes of veteran generals gave rise to a wealth of anecdotes celebrated by later generations. The Warring States period also shaped the prototype of imperial China.

Legend

The Historical Map of the Warring States Period in China displays a legend including: * Capital of the State of Zhao — Jinyang * Fief of an Enfeoffed Lord — Pingyuan * City/Town — Wuzhong * Archaeological Sites * Present-day National Capital — Beijing * Location of People's Government of Present-day Municipality, Province, Autonomous Region — Shanghai * Location of Present-day Municipal People's Government — Haikou * Present-day Other Settlements — Dunhuang

Map Source

The Historical Map of the Warring States Period in China is sourced from The Historical Atlas of China, Volume 1(2)—Maps of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, published by SinoMaps Press on October 1, 1982, with Tan Qixiang as its author.

The Historical Atlas of China is an atlas focusing primarily on the historical administrative divisions and territories of China throughout its dynasties, compiled under the chief editorship of Tan Qixiang. The entire work spans from the primitive society to the end of the Qing dynasty, organized into 8 volumes and 20 sections according to historical periods, containing a total of 304 maps (not including illustrations). All maps juxtapose historical and modern geography. The compilation of this atlas began in the 1950s, it was seriously disturbed during the cultural revolution. The internal edition was published in 1975 but contained numerous errors. Publication of Volumes 1-8 occurred successively starting in 1982. The Historical Atlas of China is a rare and valuable resource for studying the historical administrative divisions of China.

Related Maps

• Historical Map: Situation of the Contending States during China's Warring States Period (350 BCE)
• Historical Map of the States of Han and Wei during China's Warring States Period
• Historical Map of the States of Zhao and Zhongshan during China's Warring States Period
• Historical Map of the States of Qi, Lu, and Song during China's Warring States Period
• Historical Map of the State of Yan during China's Warring States Period
• Historical Map of the States of Qin and Shu during China's Warring States Period
• Historical Map of the States of Chu and Yue during China's Warring States Period