Qin Shi Qin Shi Huangdi: The Huangdi: The First Emperor First Emperor

of Chinaof China

AIM: How was China unified under AIM: How was China unified under Shi Huangdi? Shi Huangdi?

Qin Dynasty: Western Qin Dynasty: Western China China SHI HUANGDI•221 BC crushed all rivals- ended “warring states period”

•Claimed the “mandate of heaven”

•1st emperor of Qin Dynasty

The word “China” The word “China” came from Qin, came from Qin, also spelt “Chin”, also spelt “Chin”, the kingdom of Qin the kingdom of Qin Shi HuangdiShi Huangdi

Hated for his Hated for his tyranny – “A tyranny – “A thousand will die thousand will die so that a million so that a million may live.”may live.”

But admired for his But admired for his many radical and many radical and insightful policiesinsightful policies

Began Began Classical Classical

AgeAgeadvancements in advancements in

arts, religion, arts, religion, science, gov’tscience, gov’t

Methods of PowerMethods of Power•Brutal

•Restricted• individual freedoms

•Ruled with total control (authoritarianism)

•Used rewards and punishments to control people

What type of philosophy did Shi Huangdi adopt?

Confucianism under QinConfucianism under Qin•Confucian scholars hit hardest by harsh rule- WHY?

•Many killed or jailed

•Book Burning: Shi Huangdi ordered the destruction of all works of lit. and philosophy •Only books on medicine and agriculture were spared-WHY?

Unifying ChinaUnifying ChinaPolitically Socially Economically

•Abolished feudalism (local rulers had power)•Created 36 MILITARY districts supervised by his officials

•Forced nobles to live in his capital•Created a uniform system of writing

•Standardized weights and measurements•Issued Qin coins as a new currency•Built roads and canals to make trans. easier

The Great Wall’s The Great Wall’s beginnings…beginnings…

•Feudal states had previously built walls to defend against invaders

•Ordered the walls to be joined together

•Criminals and peasants built it

The Great Wall•25 feet high, topped with a wide brick road•13, 171 miles long today•Why build this wall?

Terracotta Army

•8000 terracotta warriors created to help Shi Huangdi rule another empire in the afterlife

•Took 36 years to complete

•6-6.5 feet tall

•242-600 lbs.

Terracotta Terracotta WarriorsWarriors

Death and LegacyDeath and Legacy

Died 210 BCDied 210 BC Qin Dynasty collapses Qin Dynasty collapses forced forced

labor, heavy taxes, cruel policieslabor, heavy taxes, cruel policies people revoltedpeople revolted

Han Dynasty established by revolt Han Dynasty established by revolt leader (and illiterate peasant) Liu leader (and illiterate peasant) Liu Bang Bang