Alliance Systems
In general, leagues of states were the most effective means of upholding treaties and the rules of interstate law. The first league of Zhou states was founded in 680 BC. Throughout the next several centuries, two alliance systems existed, that of the Zhou states in the north and the southern states which united under the banner of Chu. Qin was a consistent leader of a league in the west and in the latter half of the Spring and Autumn period, Wu headed a league of states in the southeast. Although when one league confronted another wars became larger in scope, they also occurred less frequently because members were obliged to maintain security and solidarity within their area.
Read more about this topic: Interstate Relations During The Spring And Autumn Period
Famous quotes containing the words alliance and/or systems:
“It is a power stronger than will.... Could a stone escape from the laws of gravity? Impossible. Impossible, for evil to form an alliance with good.”
—Isidore Ducasse, Comte de Lautréamont (1846–1870)
“Before anything else, we need a new age of Enlightenment. Our present political systems must relinquish their claims on truth, justice and freedom and have to replace them with the search for truth, justice, freedom and reason.”
—Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990)