Chu-Han Contention

The Chu-Han contention (楚漢相爭 or 楚漢春秋, 206–202 BC) was a post-Qin Dynasty interregnum period in China. During this period the rebel kings derived from the collapse of Qin Dynasty formed two camps fighting each other. One camp was headed by Liu Bang (劉邦), King of Han while the other was headed by Xiang Yu (項羽), King Ba of Chu. Several minor kings also fought independent wars against each other during that period. The war ended with total victory of Liu Bang, who claimed himself the emperor and established the Han Dynasty.

Origin of the War
In 221 BC, the Qin Dynasty annexed all the other states in China to form the first united Chinese Empire. However, the political unification did not immediately result in a unified national identity of all Chinese people. In some former state territory, sympathy to the old state still prevailed. This might not be a huge problem had the Qin Dynasty been able to consolidate its rule over all China for a long period of time. However, Qin's rule was extremely unpopular and unbearable to most Chinese people. Insurrection followed and the Qin Dynasty collapsed within 30 years of the unification. During the collapse of Qin, many rebels rallied local people to their support under the banners of the old states. The result was that, when the Qin Dynasty ended, China was divided into many kingdoms, many with the old Warring State kingdom name and with a relative of the old royal family in throne.

At that moment, the future of China was not clear. Some people, especially many descendants of the old ruling families of the old kingdoms thought the Warring States would be restored and China would be divided again among these kingdoms. However, most of the common people were tired of the endless war and hoped a united empire could end it.

Among these kingdoms, the strongest was Chu. Xiang Yu, the chief of Chu army, won the support of most of the kings following his heroic Julu Campaign (鉅鹿之戰) and became the de facto leader of all the kings, although the throne of Chu was still in the hands of the figurehead King Huai of Chu. In 206 BC, it was obvious that the fate of China lay in his hands. However, although a brilliant military leader, Xiang Yu was incompetent in politics. Being placed in a position to create a post-Qin order of China, he made several unwise moves:

*First, after the bulk of the Qin army (around 200,000 soldiers) surrendered to him, Xiang Yu ruthlessly slaughtered them all. Most of them were from the Qin homeland, Guanzhong (關中). By doing this, Xiang Yu won the hatred of the people of Guanzhong, who later would remain loyal to Liu Bang in the following war.

*Second, Xiang Yu murdered Emperor Yi of Chu, the nominal leader of all the rebel kings. By doing so, Xiang Yu was considered by many as having committed regicide. This gave many people an excuse to turn against him.

*Third, Xiang Yu severely underestimated the danger of Liu Bang. Although he had the chance to get rid of Liu Bang for good, Xiang Yu let it pass.

*Fourth, Xiang Yu realigned many kingdoms to reward his favorites, a move which angered many others. Several disgruntled kingdoms soon rebelled against him. Those who were rewarded were also too busy consolidating their own rule to support Xiang Yu in the following war.

The last reason was the direct cause of Chu-Han Contention. It all started with the Qi rebellion.