| Timeline of events |
| Year | Events |
| 207 BC |
- A coalition rebel army led by Xiang Yu defeats Qin forces led by Zhang Han at the Battle of Julu.
- End of the Qin dynasty.
- The last Qin emperor, Ziying, surrenders to Liu Bang.
- Liu Bang's army occupies the Qin capital, Xianyang.
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| 206 BC |
- Feast at Hong Gate
- Xiang Yu's army occupies Xianyang and sacks the city.
- Xiang Yu promotes King Huai II of Chu to "Emperor Yi of Chu" and relocates him to Chen County.
- Xiang Yu divides the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms.
- Xiang Yu declares himself "Hegemon-King of Western Chu".
- Liu Bang is granted the title "King of Han".
- Han Xin leaves Western Chu and joins Han.
- Rebellion in Qi
- Tian Rong conquers the Kingdom of Qi. Qi's ruler, Tian Du, flees to Western Chu.
- Tian Rong conquers the Kingdom of Jiaodong and kills its ruler, Tian Fu.
- Xiang Yu kills Han Cheng (King of Hán).
- Zhang Liang joins Han.
- Liu Bang appoints Han Xin as a general.
- Tian Rong sends Peng Yue to conquer the Kingdom of Jibei and kill its ruler, Tian An.
- Ying Bu (King of Jiujiang) kills Emperor Yi of Chu.
- Han forces secretly pass through Chencang.
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| Start of the Chu–Han contention |
| Year | Events |
| 206 BC |
- Zhang Han (King of Yong) is defeated by Han forces. He retreats to Feiqiu.
- Dong Yi (King of Di) and Sima Xin (King of Sai) surrender to Han.
- Zang Tu (King of Yan) kills Han Guang (King of Liaodong).
- Xiang Yu appoints Zheng Chang as the King of Hán.
- Zhao Tuo proclaims himself "King Wu of Nanyue".
- Shen Yang (King of Henan) surrenders to Han.
- Rebellion in Zhao
- Chen Yu conquers the Kingdom of Changshan. Zhang Er (King of Changshan) flees to Han.
- Chen Yu helps Zhao Xie (King of Dai) become the King of Zhao and then replaces Zhao Xie as the King of Dai.
- Hán Xin conquers the Kingdom of Hán with support from Han. Zheng Chang surrenders.
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| 205 BC |
- Xiang Yu attacks Tian Rong. Tian Rong retreats to Pingyuan and dies there. Xiang Yu appoints Tian Jia as the King of Qi.
- Wei Bao (King of Wei) surrenders to Han.
- Sima Ang (King of Yin) is captured by Han forces.
- Tian Jia is defeated by Tian Heng (Tian Rong's younger brother).
- Tian Jia is killed by Xiang Yu after joining Western Chu.
- Tian Heng helps Tian Guang (Tian Rong's son) become the King of Qi.
- Battle of Pengcheng
- Peng Yue joins Han.
- Battle of Jingsuo
- Liu Bang occupies Xingyang. Han forces start building supply routes linking Xingyang and Aocang.
- Liu Bang names his son, Liu Ying, as his crown prince.
- Han forces flood Feiqiu. Zhang Han commits suicide.
- Battle of Anyi
- Han Xin conquers the Kingdom of Dai and captures its chancellor, Xia Shuo.
- Battle of Jingxing
- Han Xin receives the surrender of the Kingdom of Yan.
- Ying Bu (King of Jiujiang) defects to Han.
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| 204 BC |
- Western Chu attacks Han supply lines.
- Xiang Yu dismisses Fan Zeng after falling for Chen Ping's ruse. Fan Zeng dies of illness on his journey home.
- Battle of Xingyang
- Wei Bao (King of Wei) is killed by Zhou Ke and Zong Gong. Zhou Ke and Zong Gong die after Xingyang falls to Chu forces.
- Hán Xin (King of Hán) is captured by Xiang Yu.
- Yuan Sheng advises Liu Bang to attack the cities of Wan and Ye.
- Peng Yue defeats Chu forces at Xiapi.
- Xiang Yu turns back to attack Peng Yue. Liu Bang uses the opportunity to seize Chenggao.
- Xiang Yu defeats Peng Yue, conquers Xingyang, and besieges Liu Bang in Chenggao.
- Liu Bang breaks out of the siege and escapes to Zhao. Liu Bang takes over Han Xin and Zhang Er's command of the Han army in Zhao.
- Gong Ao (King of Linjiang) dies and is succeeded by his son, Gong Wei.
- Liu Bang sends Li Yiji to Qi to persuade Tian Guang (King of Qi) to surrender.
- Battle of Si River
- Han Xin attacks Qi and conquers Lixia and Linzi (Qi's capital). Li Yiji is executed by Tian Guang.
- Battle of Wei River
- Long Ju is killed in action.
- Tian Guang is killed while trying to escape. Tian Heng proclaims himself the King of Qi.
- Liu Bang appoints Zhang Er as the King of Zhao.
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| 203 BC |
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| 202 BC |
|
| End of the Chu–Han contention |
| Year | Events |
| 202 BC |
- Vassal kings appointed by Liu Bang:
- Liu Bang establishes the Han dynasty and becomes the Emperor of China.
- Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) disbands the military and grants amnesty to convicts.
- Zang Tu starts a rebellion.
- Tian Heng (former King of Qi) commits suicide in Luoyang.
- Zhang Er dies and is succeeded by his son, Zhang Ao.
- Emperor Gaozu suppresses Zang Tu's rebellion and captures him.
- Linjiang is conquered by Han. Gong Wei is captured and executed.
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