Transcript Early China - Good Shepherd School

Ancient China
The Qin Dynasty
Shi Huangdi
In 221 BC, Shi Huangdi the
Qin emperor will unite
China. He followed the
legalist way and believed in
strong government, strict laws
and harsh punishments.
Shi Huangdi
Shi Huangdi demanded that all
follow his policies. He ordered all
books disagreeing with legalism to
be burnt, leaving only texts on
farming, medicine and
prognostication. Over 460
scholars that opposed this were
buried alive.
Shi Huangdi
Shi Huangdi also used his
armies to expand the empire.
They would start by
stableizing the area around
the two major rivers, then
take area north to the Gobi
desert and south to the Xi
River.
Shi Huangdi
He ensured there would be
no future revolt by tearing
down the walls to fallen cities
and taking all of the
weapons. His will and ways
were absolute.
China Under the Qin
Shi Huangdi changed the political system of China by claiming absolute
power and not sharing any with the lords. He even took much of their land
and forced them to move to the capital so he could keep an eye on them.
China Under the Qin
Shi Huangdi forced thousand of commoners to work on
government building projects. Workers faced a lifetime of
hardship and danger – even death,
China Under the Qin
He divided China into districts,
each with its own governor.
These were subdivided into
counties run by local officials.
This arrangement helped enforce a
strict chain of command and
collect taxes.
Qin Policies
Before Qin, China had
regional customs, money,
writing styles, rituals and
laws. Shi Huangdi sought to
make all chinese people to do
things the same way.
Qin Policies
Early on, Shi Huangdi set up a uniform system of laws,
making rules and punishment the same throughout the
empire.
Next he would set a standard language and writing
system for all.
This give Chinese a shared culture and sense of common
identity.
Qin Policies
He then created a standard
monetary system using gold and
copper coins. Weights and
measures were also standardized
making trade across the empire
easier. All these standards would
be fiercely enforced.
Qin Achievements
Building projects helped unify the
country. Workers created a
network of roads connecting all
parts of the empire. All roads
were the same width – 50 paces,
allowing easy movement for the
army.
Qin Achievements
The water system was also improved by creating a system of canals connected
the waterways making it easier and quicker to ship goods. Irrigation system
bringing water to farmlands also was put in and still is used today.
Qin Achievements
To protect the empire from
invaders, Shi Huangdi would
begin constructing the Great Wall.
They would link existing walls,
dating back to 600’s BC into a
longer wall to keep invaders out of
the empire. Years of labor and
hundreds of thousands of workers
went into it
The Fall of the Qin
Although many resented hi, Shi Huangdi was powerful enough to
hold the country together. After his death, the empire would
begin to crumble.
Fall of the Qin
Rebel forces would form, all claiming the Mandate of Heaven. One group
would attack the capital and burn it to the ground, after the new emperor
surrendered. The country would fall into a period of civil war.
To Sum Up …
Exit: What were the most important achievements of the
qin?
Stay tuned nest time for The Han Dynasty