The Qin Empire
A Milestone Documents E-text
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The Qin Empire
https://doi.org/10.3735/9781961844568.book.part.023

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Abstract

The Qin dynasty was founded by Prince Zheng (ca. 259–210 BCE), ruler of the Zhou vassal state of Qin. This dynasty began the first great imperial phase of Chinese history and established many of the cornerstones of traditional China. Zheng grew up during the Warring States Period (ca. 480–221 BCE), in which six states (Yan, Zhao, Qi, Chu, Han, Wei, and Qin) were all advocating unification, but warfare rather than diplomacy was commonly accepted as the means to the end. By defeating the other states between 230 and 221 BCE, Prince Zheng became Qin Shi Huang, or First Emperor, unifying the country for the first time in history.

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