Partition of Jin facts for kids
The Partition of Jin was a really important event in ancient Chinese history. It was when the powerful State of Jin broke apart into three smaller states: Han, Zhao, and Wei. This event marks the end of the Spring and Autumn period and the start of the Warring States period. Because of this, the three new states were often called the "Three Jins" (simplified Chinese: 三晋; traditional Chinese: 三晉; pinyin: Sān Jìn).
The process of Jin splitting up took many years. Historians often debate the exact year it happened. Some common dates are 481, 475, 468, or 403 BCE. The year 403 BCE is often seen as the official start of the new states. This is because King Weilie of Zhou officially recognized the rulers of Wei, Zhao, and Han as marquesses (a type of noble title).
Later, in 386 BCE, the states of Han, Wei, and Zhao removed the last ruler of Jin, Duke Jing. They then divided up the very last parts of Jin's land. This officially ended the Jin state forever.
Contents
Why Did Jin Split Up?
Problems with Succession
The State of Jin had problems with who would rule next for a long time. This went back to the 600s BCE. Even when kings tried to help, new issues kept coming up. This made the state less stable over time.
Rise of Powerful Families
As Jin grew, it gave land and titles to loyal families. But Jin was different from other states. Instead of giving power to its own royal family members, Jin often sent them away. This allowed other powerful families to grow strong. For example, the Zhao family came from Zhao Cui, and the Wei family from Wei Chou. Both were important helpers to Duke Wen of Jin. The Han family came from Han Wan, who was an uncle of an earlier Duke.
Over time, these powerful families gained a lot of control. They even ruled their own areas like small kingdoms. They became so strong that they started to challenge the Duke of Jin himself. Jin became a collection of smaller city-states. These city-states often fought each other and the Duke.
Growing Power of Aristocrats
The Zhao family became very important after Duke Wen of Jin put them in charge of new lands. By 607 BCE, they were powerful enough to remove a Duke who tried to limit them. Other families like the Xian and Luan clans also rose and fell. By the mid-500s BCE, the Zhi, Zhao, Han, and Wei families were the most powerful.
Before the big civil war, six main families ruled Jin. These were the Zhao, Wei, Han, Fan, Zhi, and Zhonghang families. They were called the "Six Titled Retainers" (Chinese: 六卿; pinyin: Lìu Qīng). These six families basically controlled Jin. The Duke was just a figurehead, meaning he had the title but not much real power.
The Jin Civil War
After 546 BCE, problems between these powerful families and the Duke got worse. This led to a long civil war that lasted from 497 to 453 BCE.
In 514 BCE, the Zhao, Han, Wei, Zhi, Zhonghang, and Fan families worked together. They destroyed the Yangshe and Qi families. Later, during the rule of Duke Ding of Jin, the Fan and Zhonghang families were also removed. This left only the Zhi, Zhao, Han, and Wei families. By the 450s BCE, the Zhi family was the strongest. They started demanding land from the other families.
Zhao Family Conflicts
In 497 BCE, there was a fight within the Zhao family itself. Handan Wu of Handan and Jianzi of Zhao of Jinyang became enemies. Jianzi wanted 500 soldiers from Handan. Handan Wu refused, so Jianzi imprisoned and later executed him.
This made the conflicts even worse. Wenzi of Zhonghang, whose nephew was killed, was very angry. The Fan family, who were related to the Zhonghang family, also worried about Zhao's actions. The Zhonghang and Fan families supported a rebellion against Jianzi of Zhao.
In August 497 BCE, the Zhonghang, Fan, and Handan forces attacked Zhao and won. This worried other families loyal to the Duke of Jin. So, the Han, Wei, and Zhi families attacked the Zhonghang and Fan lands. The Zhonghang and Fan families lost and had to flee. This conflict weakened the Zhonghang and Fan families. It helped the Han, Zhao, and Wei families become even more powerful in Jin.
The Battle of Jinyang
The Jin Minister Zhi Xiangzi from the Zhi family was very powerful. He used his position to demand land from the Han and Wei families. But Zhao Xiangzi of the Zhao family refused Zhi Xiangzi's demands in 455 BCE.
Because of this, Zhi Xiangzi attacked the Zhao family. He forced the Han and Wei families to send their troops to help him. Zhao Xiangzi retreated to the city of Jinyang in 455 BCE. The combined forces of Zhi, Han, and Wei surrounded the city for two years. They even tried to cut off the city's water supply.
Facing a difficult situation, Zhao Xiangzi sent a messenger to the Han and Wei families. He convinced them to switch sides. They agreed and secretly diverted a huge stream of water. This split Zhi Xiangzi's army camp in two. Then, they captured and killed Zhi Xiangzi. In 453 BCE, the Zhao, Han, and Wei families completely destroyed the Zhi family.
After this, the three remaining families—Zhao, Han, and Wei—were equally powerful. None of them could easily defeat the others. So, in 403 BCE, they decided to divide the Jin state's lands among themselves. This created the "Three Jins": Wei, Han, and Zhao. All three new states quickly built strong governments. This helped prevent new powerful families from taking over again. In the same year, King Weilie of Zhou officially recognized these three states as equals.
The End of Jin
Duke Ai of Jin died in 434 BCE. He was followed by Duke You of Jin. The Han, Zhao, and Wei families continued to divide up the remaining Jin territory. They left only two small areas for Duke You of Jin.
The Zhao family had some internal struggles too. After Zhao Xiangzi died, his son Zhao Huanzi took over. But he was later killed, and the family invited another relative, Zhao Xianzi, to rule. His son, Marquess Lie of Zhao, later became ruler.
Finally, in 349 BCE, the Han and Zhao states divided the very last parts of Jin's land between themselves. This marked the complete end of the State of Jin.
