Qin221–207 BC

Qin: Timeline of Events (221–207 BC)

The first unified empire; standard script, weights and measures

Events in this period

• Qin Unifies the Six States230–221 BC

  From 230 BC King Zheng of Qin destroyed Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan and Qi in turn and in 221 BC founded the Qin dynasty, China's first unified multiethnic state.

• Qin Establishes Centralized Rule221 BC

  After unification Qin created the imperial system, with three top ministers at the center and commanderies and counties in the regions, shaping the next two thousand years.

• Standardizing Script, Currency and MeasuresFrom 221 BC

  Qin Shi Huang standardized writing on the small seal script, currency on the round, square-holed banliang coin, and weights, measures and axle widths, promoting trade, cultural exchange and unity.

• Meng Tian Strikes the Xiongnu; the Great WallAfter Qin unification

  Qin Shi Huang sent Meng Tian to strike the Xiongnu and retake the Ordos, and joined and repaired the old Qin, Zhao and Yan walls into a Great Wall from Lintao in the west to Liaodong in the east.

• Digging the Lingqu Canal and Taking LingnanAfter Qin unification

  Qin Shi Huang sent troops south against the Baiyue, set up Guilin, Nanhai and Xiang commanderies, and dug the Lingqu Canal to link the Xiang and Li rivers, joining the Yangtze and Pearl River systems.

• Burning of Books and Burying of ScholarsReign of Qin Shi Huang

  To control thought, Qin Shi Huang burned private copies of the Poems, Documents and philosophers on Li Si's advice, and the next year buried over 460 scholars alive.

• Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum210 BC (discovered 1974)

  In 1974 farmers digging a well near Lintong, Shaanxi, found the Terracotta Army pits of Qin Shi Huang's tomb; three pits hold about 8,000 clay figures, called the “eighth wonder of the world.”

• Chen Sheng and Wu Guang Uprising209 BC

  In 209 BC Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rose at Daze Township, crying “Are kings and nobles born to their rank?”, set up the Zhang Chu regime and began the uprisings against Qin.

• Battle of Julu and Fall of Qin207 BC

  In 207 BC Xiang Yu destroyed the main Qin army at Julu by burning his boats and smashing his cauldrons; Liu Bang entered Guanzhong, Ziying surrendered, and the Qin dynasty fell.