Warring States Period

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The Warring States Period took place from about 403-221 B.C. It was a time when warlords amassed massive armies to fight for them. It was also a time of relative prosperity. Apart from the constant struggle for land and power, the seven main powers, the Qi, the Chu, the Yan, the Han, the Zhao, the Wei and the Qin, underwent large public building constructions. Walls, a necessary building when at constant war, were only one of the many projects, such as canals irrigation and some cultural buildings. With turbulent times came constant warfare and struggles for dominance. With larger and more powerful armies, came a stronger metal: iron. This metal replaced bronze as the dominant ore used in war. Cavalry replaced the more clumsy chariots as the main usage of horses on the battlefield. With the iron equipped armies, the warlords captured and annexed smaller city-states and powers. Many philosophies were created and further elaborated on, such as Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Legalism. The legendary Art of War was written by Sun Tzu. The book's strategies were used by warlords and generals all throughout history. The Warring Sates period was a low point, in the sense that there was an unending war, but a high point in culture, philosophy, and economics.

Sources

1.Manual Page 89

2. Cultural China [1]