The Chu–Han Contention (206–202 BC) was an interregnum between the Qin dynasty and the Han dynasty in Chinese history. Following the collapse of the Qin dynasty in 206 BC, Xiang Yu split the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. Two major contending powers, Western Chu and Han, emerged from these kingdoms and engaged in a struggle for supremacy over China. Western Chu was led by Xiang Yu, while the Han leader was Liu Bang. During this period of time, some of the other kingdoms also fought battles against each other and/or against Han or Western Chu. These battles were largely independent of the main conflict between Western Chu and Han. The war ended in 202 BC with total victory for Han, after which China was unified under the Han dynasty with Liu Bang as the dynasty's first emperor.
