The Unification of China

The Qin [Chin] Dynasty 221-206 B.C.E.

Review: The Fall of the Zhou Dynasty

The Zhou Dynasty lasted for at least eight centuries, from approximately 1027 to 256 B.C. By the latter years of the Zhou Dynasty, the lords of dependent territories began to think of themselves as independent kings. They often picked fights with neighboring lords. Their almost constant conflict, which is known as the Warring States Period, led to the decline of the Zhou Dynasty.

Chinas First Empire: The Qin Dynasty

At the end of the Zhou Dynasty, China is divided among many rival states. Over 100 local leaders ruled small independent states. There was no central leadership. Nomads from the North attacked the Chinese as well. This era is called the Warring States Period in China. From the fighting, one state emerged victorious The Qin. The word Qin is the basis of the word China

How many Ethnic Groups fought during the Warring States Period?

Shi Huangdi
The leader of the Qin was Shi Huangdi. He created Chinas first unified empire The Qin Dynasty. His name means First Emperor. He employed Legalist ideas to subdue the warring states and unify his country.

How did the Qin Dynasty establish control over Chinas first empire?

Task
Read the following documents written by the official historian of the Qin Dynasty. Identify the methods Shi Huang Di used to unify his country.

Fill in the graphic organizer and answer the questions.

Sima Qian: The Emperors Historian

Sima Qian inherited from his father the position of grand historian to the Emperor. The extracts give here are taken from the annals of the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE) and from the biographical chapter on the First Emperor. Sima Qin presents us with historical facts and with the Emperors own account of his reign.

Document #1: Unification

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With its superior strength Qin pressed the crumbling

forces of its rivals, pursued those who had fled in defeat, and overwhelmed the army of a million until their shields floated upon a river of blood. Following up the advantages of its victory, Qin gained mastery over the empire and divided it as it saw fit. The powerful states begged to submit to its sovereignty and the weak ones paid homage at its court. . . The First Emperor [Qin Shi Huangdi] arose to carry on the glorious achievements of six generations. Cracking his long whip, he drove the universe before him, swallowing up the eastern and western Zhou and overthrowing the feudal lords. He ascended to the highest position and ruled the six directions, scourging the world with his rod, and his might shook the four seas.

Document # 2 Benefits of Unification of China

Thus the empire was divided into thirty-six provinces, each province provided with a governor, a military commandant, and a superintendent. The common people were renamed black-headed ones. There was great feasting. Weapons from all over the empire were confiscated, brought to Xianyang, and melted down to be used in casting bells, bell stands, and twelve men made of metal. These last weighed 60 metric tons each and were set up in the palace. All weights and measures were standardized, the gauge of wheeled vehicles was made uniform, and the writing system was standardized. - Sima Qian, The Basic Annals of Qin

Document #3 The Burning of Books

Your servant suggests that all books in the imperial archives, save the memoirs of Qin, be burned. AIl persons in the empire, except members of the Academy of Learned. Scholars, in possession of the he Book of History, and discourses of the hundred philosophers [Confucian scholars] should take them to the local governors and have them indiscriminately burned. Those who dare to talk to each other about the Book of History should be executed and their bodies exposed in the market place. Anyone referring to the past to criticize the present should, together with all members of his family be put to death. Officials who fail to report cases that have come to their attention are equally guilty. Books not to be destroyed will be those on medicine and pharmacy; divination, by the tortoise; and agriculture. People wishing to pursue learning should take the officials as their teachers.

Document # 4 The Execution of 460 Scholars

He [the Emperor] then ordered the imperial secretary to subject all the scholars to investigation. The scholars reported on one another in an attempt to exonerate themselves. Over 460 persons were convicted of violating the prohibitions, and were executed at Xianyang, word of it being publicized throughout the empire so as to act as a warning to later ages. In addition, increasing numbers of convicts were transported to the border regions. - Sima Qian, Biography of the First Emperor

Document #5 Achievements of the Emperor

Then he [Shi Hu'angdi] mobilized armies and punished the unprincipled. Rebellions were wiped out. The August Emperor gave a vigorous display of his authority, and his virtue brought together all the states, and for the first time brought unity and supreme peace. City walls were demolished, waterways were opened up, obstacles were flattened... He was the first to standardize the system of laws, examine and demarcate duties so as to establish unchanging practices. . . .[Rebels] were punished justly and with authority, their cruel rebelliousness was obliterated, and the criminals who spread disorder were wiped out. . . .

Terra Cotta Soldiers

The statues shown are part of a group of over 8,000 life-sized terra cotta soldiers and horses that were buried with Emperor Shi Huangdi, who ruled China until the time of his death. Buried to protect the tomb, the soldiers were found arranged in battle formation. Their hands were sculpted to hold real weapons. Each soldier's face is modeled after real-life soldiers. Soldiers refusing to model for their statues were sentenced to death.

Shi Huangdis Terra Cotta Army

The Details of an Individual Soldier

Cavalry

Shi Huangdis Terra Cotta Soldiers & Cavalrymen

The Great Wall of China