22 The First Emperor of China Study Guide

Qin Shihuangdi, the first emperor of China, began life as?

As Prince Zheng, a prince of one Chinese state.

Why did later Chinese historians have very different opinions of the emperor of Qin?

Because he was both a strong and wise leader but he was also a cruel one that caused many deaths.

What was the emperor most afraid of?

Dying.

The emperor of Qin made trading easier by?

Standardizing money.

What sort of Legalist policies did the emperor adopt?

Strict laws and harsh punishment.

What did the emperor do when he thought that Confucian scholars were opposing his view?

The emperor ordered that all Confucian books must be burned.

To a large extent, the Great Wall of China was built by?

Forced labor (farmers, slaves, teachers, and artisans)

What did the emperor of Qin do when he thought his mother was plotting against him?

He exiled his mother.

Were did archeologist find a life-sized ary made of terra-cotta?

In Qin Shi huangdi's tomb.

Under the emperor of Qin, who was punished when they broke the law?

The rich and poor were punished equally.

Why was the Great Wall built?

To protect the empire from invaders.

What actions related to the areas listed (Laws, money, weights and measures, writing) did the emperor take to unify China?

He created standardized practices that once had differed in different parts of the country.

What were some of the things that the Emperor of Qin did.

He divided his territory into 36 districts, punished the rich and poor equally, and he even exiled his own mother!

Why did the emperor of Qin order all Confucian books brought to the capital?

He wanted to end any opposition and criticism to his rule, Confucian scholars were executed for plotting against him.

Which Chinese teaching most influence Qin Shi huangdi style of rule?

Legalism had the most impact on Qin Shi Huangdi.

Why did many people sent to work on the Great Wall not return home?

Many of the people working on the Great Wall died while working on the project because they worked under some extremely difficult conditions.

Which group most likely had the best life under the Emperor of Qin's rule?

Merchants had a great life because of the decisions that the Emperor of Qin made.

What became the acceptable form of money?

Metal coins of bronze or gold.

During what dynasty was the Great Wall of China built?

Qin Dynasty.

What title did the emperor of Qin take once he gained control of China?

Qin Shihuangdi

What happened after the Qin Emperor's death?

Rebellions and civil war broke out throughout China

How did the emperor change the writing system?

Removing many characters.

What did most Confucian scholars believe in?

Setting a good example and behaving properly.

Under Qin rule, what would have happened if a rich person and a poor person committed the same crime?

The two would suffer the same punishment because nobody was above the law.

What two words would describe the Emperor of Qin?

There are many words that could be said, but the debate has raged on whether he was a strong or cruel individual.

What is the most likely reason that Qin power did not expand equally in other directions?

There were mountains, plateaus, and deserts to the west, and not that many people lived there.

What was the purpose of building the Great Wall?

To protect the Qin empire from invaders.

What was one difference between feudalism and the Emperor of Qin's system of government?

Under feudalism, power was held locally by the lords; the Emperor of Qin held all the power.