Legalist thought and its development across the Warring States (c.5th–3rd centuries BCE)

1. Warring States crisis frames new governance debates

   Jan 1, 475 BCELabels: Warring States, Zhou Dynasty

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

2. First phase of Shang Yang’s Qin reforms

   Jan 1, 356 BCELabels: Shang Yang, Qin State

   • Britannica
   • Wiki

3. Shen Buhai advances bureaucratic administrative technique (shu)

   Jan 1, 351 BCELabels: Shen Buhai, Han State

   • Wiki
   • Britannica

4. Shen Dao theorizes political authority (shi)

   Jan 1, 350 BCELabels: Shen Dao, Jixia School

   • Wiki
   • Wiki

5. Death of Duke Xiao triggers Shang Yang’s execution

   Jan 1, 338 BCELabels: Duke Xiao, Shang Yang

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

6. The Book of Lord Shang circulates as a Legalist classic

   Jan 1, 300 BCELabels: Book of, Shang Yang

   • Wiki
   • Britannica

7. Xunzi’s authoritarian turn influences future Legalists

   Jan 1, 255 BCELabels: Xunzi, Confucianism

   • Britannica
   • SEP

8. Li Si enters Qin service under King Zheng

   Jan 1, 247 BCELabels: Li Si, King Zheng

   • Britannica
   • Wiki

9. Han Fei consolidates Legalist doctrine in the Hanfeizi

   Jan 1, 233 BCELabels: Han Fei, Hanfeizi

   • Britannica
   • Wiki

10. Qin unifies China; Legalist governance becomes imperial policy

    Jan 1, 221 BCELabels: Qin Unification, Imperial Qin

    • Britannica
    • Britannica

11. Li Si’s book-burning policy aims to restrict dissent

    Jan 1, 213 BCELabels: Li Si, Book Burning

    • Britannica
    • Britannica

12. Qin collapse discredits harsh Legalist implementation

    Jan 1, 207 BCELabels: Qin Dynasty, Dynastic Collapse

    • Britannica
    • Britannica