The First Emperor of China Ancient China - Chapter 22

Was the Emperor of Qin an effective leader? Essential Question

Qin Dynasty ruled for a short amount of time, but had a strong influence on China’s future. Qin (Chin) = China

22.1 (Introduction) The Emperor of Qin (chin) ruled over a united china from 221 - 210 B.C.E. (Cruel and strong leader) His reign was one of great contrasts. He executed hundred of enemies, his building projects killed thousands of his own people. He also unified Chinese government and culture. His greatest project was The Great Wall of China (N. Border) He built the wall to prepare for war Qin Dynasty lasted a very short amount of time.

22.2 Creating an Empire China’s first emperor began life as Prince Zheng (jung) - state of Qin. 256 B.C.E. - Qin rulers took over the state of Zhou, ending the Zhou dynasty. Zheng was ambitious: Used military might, spies, bribery, and alliances to conquer. Influenced by Legalism Divided his land into 36 districts that he ran. If anyone threatened him - they were killed.

The Emperor of Qin’s wars of conquest cost many millions of lives.

22.3 - Standardizing the Culture Emperor of Qin wanted to unify China and started with unifying laws and creating new laws; like widows were not allowed to get re-married. Laws were also aimed at Government Officials. Officials were punished if the grain went bad or part of the wall collapsed. The rich and poor were punished in the same way. Typical punishments include fines (paid in shields), gold, or suits of armor. Forced labor, whippings, and beheadings. Emperor also standardized money, weights, and measures. Past: shells, pearls, silver, tin objects, coins New: gold or bronze coins with a hole in the center. Measure: Measuring cup Weight: Bell-shaped bronze or iron weights

22.4 Protecting the Northern Border Emperor Qin forced workers to build the wall along the Norther Border. Called the “10,000 Li Long Wall” (Li is about 3/10ths of a mile) Smaller walls were built earlier by earlier kingdoms. The emperor wanted them connected. Emperor Qin’s wall took 10 years to build with 30,000 men: Soldiers, Peasants, Musicians, Teachers, Writers, and Artist sent into exile. Very effective in stopping invasions, Nomads were unable to move sheep or cattle over it and horses could not jump it. 22.4 Protecting the Northern Border

Later emperors said that Emperor Qin crushed opposition by executing Confucian scholars. According to legend, he ordered that some be buried alive.

The changes caused a lot of problems with the people and was unpopular with Confucian scholars. Said he executed 460 Confucian scholars for plotting against him. Ordered that all confucian books be brought to the capital city and burned. Unless they dealt with medicine, farming, and the history. Scholars who disobeyed the order would be marked with a tattoo on their faced and forced to do labor. Anyone who discussed ancient teachings would be executed. Some scholars chose to die instead of give up their books. 22.5 Ending Opposition

22.6 - The Emperor’s Death The emperor was not happy, even though he accomplished so much and was afraid he was going to die; he looked to magicians for immortality. The emperor died after ruling for just over 10 years, while out searching for a magic potion 600 miles away More than 700,000 workers helped build his tomb and some were buried with him to prevent grave robbers from learning about the treasures. The emperor was buried with tools, jewels, and rare objects. The terra-cotta army was an army of 6,000 life-size figures that were positioned to lead the emperor east into the next world.

Liu Bang (LEE-oo-bahng), a peasant leader, gained power and started the Han Dynasty. Qin rulers took over the state of Zhou, ending their dynasty. Conflict between emperor & scholars grew worse. 256 B.C.E. 221 B.C.E. 213 B.C.E. 210 B.C.E 206 B.C.E. Qin Shihuangdi gained control of all China through military power, spies, bribery, and alliances. Shihuangdi died and his harsh ruling, which left many unhappy led to rebellions.

Was the Emperor of Qin an effective leader? Answer: Was the Emperor of Qin an effective leader?