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(Written report)
(M-T-TH-F 5:00- 7:00 pm)
Topics:
A unified China
Emperor Shi Huang Di
Submitted by:
Michelle Ann T. Garbin
HOW THE QIN DYNASTY UNIFIED ANCIENT CHINA
The Qin dynasty surfaced during China’s Warring States period. This era spanned 250 years—
475 B.C. to 221 B.C. During the Warring States period, the city-state kingdoms of ancient
China’s Spring and Autumn period consolidated into larger territories. The feudal states fought
each other for power during this era characterized by advances in military technology as well as
education, thanks to the influences of Confucian philosophers.
The Qin dynasty came to prominence as the new imperial dynasty (221-206/207 B.C.) after
conquering rival kingdoms and when its first emperor, the absolute monarch Qin Shi Huang (Shi
Huangdi or Shih Huang-ti) unified China. The Qin Empire, also known as Ch'in, is likely where
the name China originates.
The Qin dynasty’s government was Legalist, a doctrine developed by Han Fei (d. 233 B.C.)
[source: Chinese History (Mark Bender at Ohio State University)]. That held the power of the
state and its monarch's interests paramount. This policy led to a strain on the treasury and,
ultimately, the end of the Qin dynasty.
The Qin Empire has been described as creating a police state with the government holding
absolute power. Private weapons were confiscated. Nobles were transported to the capital. But
the Qin Dynasty also ushered in new ideas and inventions. It standardized weights, measures,
coinage—the bronze round coin with a square hole in the center—writing and chariot axle
widths.
Writing was standardized to permit bureaucrats throughout the land to read documents. It may
have been during the Qin Dynasty or late Han Dynasty that the zoetrope was invented. Using
conscripted farm labor, the Great Wall (868 km) was built to keep out northern invaders.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang sought immortality through a variety of elixirs.
Ironically, some of these elixirs may have contributed to his death in 210 B.C. Upon his death,
the emperor had ruled for 37 years. His tomb, close to the city of Xi’an, included an army of
more than 6,000 life-size terracotta soldiers (or servants) to protect (or serve) him. The first
Chinese emperor’s tomb remained undiscovered for 2,000 after years his death. Farmers
unearthed the soldiers as they dug a well near Xi’an in 1974.
“So far, archaeologists have uncovered a 20-square-mile compound, including some 8,000
terracotta soldiers, along with numerous horses and chariots, a pyramid mound marking the
emperor’s tomb, remains of a palace, offices, storehouses, and stables,” according to the History
Channel. “In addition to the large pit containing the 6,000 soldiers, a second pit was found with
cavalry and infantry units and a third containing high-ranking officers and chariots. A fourth pit
remained empty, suggesting that the burial pit was left unfinished at the time the emperor died.”
Qin Shi Huang’s son would replace him, but the Han Dynasty overthrew and replaced the new
emperor in 206 B.C
Emperor Qin Shi Huang – First Emperor of China
Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 BC - 210 BC) fascinates people when they talk about the Great
Wall and the Terracotta Warriors and Horses - his two greatest achievements. As the first
emperor of China, he indeed has a profound influence on Chinese history and culture.