The First Empire of China

History Alive Chapter 22

22.1 Introduction

 Unification of China  Qin Shihangdi emperor of China from 221 to 210 B.C.E.

22.2 Creating an Empire

   Prince Zheng of the Royal family of the state of Qin.

Qin dynasty defeated the Zhou dynasty.

13 year old Prince Zheng became king.

Qin Shi Huangdi

   Extremely ambitious.

Used military might, spies, bribery, and alliances with neighboring states to conquer all of the states in China.

First Emperor of China

Legalism

  Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi used Legalism.

He ruled the empire with strict laws and harsh punishments.

Bureaucracy

   A form of government in which a few people rule many others.

He ended feudalism with a central government that controlled personally.

There were 36 districts and government officials who were appointed.

22.3 Standardizing the Culture  Standardize means to make the same.

 Why is it important for Qin Shi Huangdi to standardize cultural practices?

Unified system of laws Money Qin Standardized the Culture Writing System Weights and Measures

22.4 Protecting the Northern Border   Emperor Qin ordered a long wall be built to protect the northern border.

This became known as the Great Wall.

The Great Wall

    Took 10 years to build.

300,000 men worked on the wall.

Men were conscripted to work on the wall.

Conscription means

22.5 Ending Opposition

  Many people were very upset with Emperor Qin especially the Confucian scholars.

Emperor Qin wanted to end the opposition.

  

Emperor Qin vs. 460 Confucian Scholars

Emperor Qin executed 460 Confucian scholars that were plotting against him.

He had a royal banquet in 213 B.C.E. a scholar criticized him.

Li Siu told the emperor the comments must stop.

Emperor Qin vs. 460 Confucian Scholars

   Li Siu told the emperor that no one should learn Confucianism.

All Confucian books were burned.

Scholars were killed or sent to forced labor camps.

  

Emperor Qin vs. 460 Confucian Scholars

The people of China were shocked by the brutal action.

Many scholars would die because they would not give up their books.

Qin even sent his son to work on the Great Wall.

22.6 The Emperor’s Death and the End of the Qin Dynasty    Qin was afraid to die.

He wanted to be immortal and live forever.

Many believe his was poisoned trying to live forever.

The Death and Burial of the Emperor of Qin   Qin resting spot was discovered in 1974 C.E.

Qin was buried in a tomb filled with 6,000 terra cotta soldiers.

The Death and Burial of the Emperor of Qin      Terra Cotta Army Archers Foot soldiers Chariot drivers Horses

The End of the Qin Dynasty

    After Qin died the empire fell apart.

Rebellions broke out.

Royal families began fighting again.

In 206 B.C.E. Liu Bang, a peasant leader established the Han dynasty.

THE END