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During the Zhou dynasty, an invasion forces the Zhou rulers to travel eastwards. The state of Qin guards of the western frontier, gradually move eastward and occupy the original Zhou territory. Therefore, Qin becomes a close ally of the Zhou.
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King Ping of Zhou (770-720 BCE) transfers titles of nobility and huge estates to the chief of Qin. This allows Qin to become more ambitious and defend attacks from surrounding regions.
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The Qin statesman Lord Shang Yang passes a number of reforms throughout the state. He promotes the strict political philosophy of Legalism and establishes the Qin capital at Xianyang.
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King Ying Zheng, aged 12 or 13, becomes King of Qin. People had high hopes that he will ultimately lead Qin to victory in the Warring States period.
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During the Warring States period, Qin gains power through well thought attacks. When the final campaign to unify China begins around 230 BCE, Qin controls one-third of all the land under cultivation in China and one-third of China's total population.
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Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin, is the winner of the Warring States period in China and unifies the country. He begins the Qin dynasty and names himself Shi Huangdi, or "first emperor."
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To protect the country from getting overthrown, Shi Huangdi orders that the previously-built portions of the Great Wall of China to be connected into one long, unbroken wall.
