Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor of China

Forced Labor

Many of Qin Shi Huang's construction projects were built with forced labor, including the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and his magnificent palace. People that included soldiers, peasants forced to renounce farming, teachers, musicians, writers, and artists were forced to leave home and work under harsh conditions such as mountains, deserts, swamps, and quicksand. They did not receive pay for their work.

Qin Government 221 BCE-206 BCE

Qin Shi Huang replaced the old system of feudalism with a government completely in his control. He divided the empire into 36 districts, with 3 officials in charge of each district. One official was in charge of the army, one was in charge of laws and agriculture, and the last was in charge off reporting district activity to the emperor. The emperor controlled all officials and held all power. Legalism!

Unified China

Qin Shi Huang simplified the writing system, standardized the currency, laws, weights, and measures. These all contributed to easy trading. Qin wanted wealth and power for his empire, so he made life easier for merchants.

Legalism

Qin Shi Huang was greatly influenced by this philosophy. This philosophy was the belief that misbehavior should be met with punishment. This belief showed in his laws. The laws were detailed and spelled out exactly how the criminal was to be punished. Everybody was punished in the same ways.

赢政 [Ying Zheng] 259 BCE-210 BCE

Qin Shi Huang's name at birth. He was later nicknamed 'The Tiger of Qin' because of his ruthless methods. He used military force, spies, bribery, and alliances to conquer his enemies.

秦始皇 reigned from roughly 220 BCE-210 BCE

First Emperor of China -he was a tyrant -he conquered 6 kingdoms to unify China -he ruled for 11 years -he ordered the construction of the Silent Army to guard him in the afterlife -he ordered construction of Great Wall -he had heavy taxes, harsh laws -standardized currency, laws, weights, measures, language

长城 [Chang Cheng]

The Great Wall was built to keep out invaders from the north. There was no need to build a barrier in the west because nature had already provided defenses. This wall was constructed by connecting previous small walls. Strong Chinese armies guarded this wall. The wall was extremely effective, for horses could not jump it, so if an invader did manage to scale it, he would be left with meager supplies, if any, and no horses.

Confucian Scholars

These scholars believed in Confucianism and criticized the emperor's government strongly. This offended the emperor's trusted adviser, and this led to the execution of roughly 460 Confucian scholars and the burning of all Confucian books. Anyone who refused to give up their books would be branded and sent to do forced labor. Anyone who discussed ancient teachings would be executed.

兵马俑 [Bing Ma Yong]

Thousands of unique warriors constructed out of a clay called terracotta. They were also called the Silent Army. Used to guard the emperor in the afterlife, the Silent Army was made up of soldiers of different ranks, horses, and weapons, all of life-size proportions.

Immortality

Towards the end of his reign, Qin began to fear for his life. Three attempts of murder had already been made due to his unpopular status of a tyrant. He began his search for a potion that would make him immortal. However, he never found it, and died along the way.

tyrant

a cruel and oppressive ruler

empire

a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one government

Confucianism

a philosophy that deeply influenced Chinese government and culture [deeply respected traditions, ancestors, and learning]. The goal was to achieve a just and peaceful society; believed that society worked well when all people used standards of good behavior. Respect for family and elders was important.

dynasty

a succession of people from the same family

feudalism

a system of government based on landowners and tenants [people who lived on the land]. The king owned all land and gave large pieces to its loyal lords. In exchange, the lords provided soldiers to protect the king and all the kingdom. The lords owned and ruled their own land.