Lesson 22: The First Emperor of China
Was the Emperor of Qin an effective leader?
Was the Emperor of Qin an effective leader?
The Emperor of Qin (chin) ruled over a united China from 221 to 210 B.C.E. His reign was one of great contrasts. He executed hundreds of enemies, and his building projects killed thousands of his own people. But he also unified Chinese government and culture. His construction projects were among the most spectacular in the world.
The emperor's biggest project was the Great Wall along China's northern border. The wall was intended to protect China from invasion from the north. Much like a general would prepare for a war, the Emperor of Qin made plans to build his wall. Supply camps were set up to bring food and materials to the workers in the mountains and deserts of the northern frontier. Soldiers were posted to fight off bandits and to stop workers from running away. Thousands of Chinese were marched from their homes and forced to work on the wall. It is said that many of them never returned.
Drone Video Tour of The Great Wall of China
Shi Huangdi, First Emperor of Unified China
Summary:
Creating an Empire Qin Shihuangdi was influenced by Legalism. He replaced feudalism with a strong central government under his control. He divided his territory into 36 districts, each governed by three officials. He used harsh measures to enforce his power.
Standardizing the Culture The Emperor of Qin unified China and also greatly expanded its borders. He standardized Chinese laws, money, weights, measures, and writing.
Protecting the Northern Border Among the emperor's many construction projects was the Great Wall, which he built to protect China's northern border from invaders.
Ending Opposition Many of Emperor Qin's actions aroused opposition. He brutally censored and executed his critics, including Confucian scholars.
The Emperor's Death and the End of the Qin Dynasty Although the emperor searched for a way to become immortal, he died in 210 B.C.E. He was buried in a huge tomb, along with many treasures and an army of 6,000 life-size terra-cotta figures. His amazing tomb was discovered in 1974. Revolt broke out after his death and civil war raged until the Han dynasty was established.