Period of Springs and the Falls

The Period of Springs and the Falls or period Chunqiu (CH. 春秋時代 pinyin chūn qīu shí daì) indicates, in the history of China, first half of the dynasty of Zhou Orientaux, i.e. one period going from second half of the eighth century to first half of the fifth century. It draws its name from the Annales of Springs and the Falls, a chronicle of the events which have occurred in the State of Lu between 722 av. J. - C. and 481 av. J. - C..

At that time, China is subjected to a feudal mode. The kings of the dynasty of the Zhou control directly only one small royal field, centered on their capital (current the Luoyang). Everywhere else, the capacity is exerted by the nobility, through strongholds. One counts, at the eighth century, several hundreds of small vassal States of the Zhou, directed by hereditary princes, is members of the same clan as Zhou (in all central China), either allied families, or local potentates.

Largest of these States princes feudatories (诸侯) are called, the tradition counts twelve of them. They meet regularly and sign treaties, where are decided military forwardings (against foreign people or noble rebels) which they carry out in the name of the royal house. During some of these meetings, most powerful of the feudatories hégémon (霸) is sometimes named, thus taking the head of the vassal armies of Zhou.

With the passing of years, the great States tend to annex, or reduce at the state of vassal, smallest. At the end of the sixth century, the majority of the small States of the beginning of the period disappeared, the capacity of the feudal princes most powerful is reinforced considerably, making increasingly theoretical the suzerainty of the Zhou. In the south, princes de Chu and of Wu proclaim kings, thus affirming their independence with respect to Zhou. Wars burst between powerful States, against which the old system (which rested on treaties between princes) appears ineffective. In Jin, where six big families dispute preeminence, causing a civil war and the partition of this State into three.

About the middle of the fifth century, the feudal system set up by Zhou is not really any more applied in practice. One enters during the time of the Royaumes combatants.

Chinese States

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Important characters

  • the Five let us hégémons 五霸

    • IQ Huan Gong 齊桓公
    • Jin Wen Gong 晉文公
    • Song Xiang Gong 宋襄公
    • Qin Mu Gong 秦穆公
    • Chu Zhuang Gong 楚莊王

  • Confucius

  • Guanzi 管子
  • Zichan 子產
  • Yanying 晏嬰

Significant events

  • the Battle of Chengpu 城濮之戰
  • beginning of the construction of the Large channel of China

See too

Related articles

Zh-classical: 春秋時代

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