The Emperor’s Clay Army Pages 168-171

Objectives Place in proper order sequence the events that helped to build the Chinese empire Describe the government it developed

After the Shang Dynasty eventually came to an end around 1100 B.C. For many years afterward the Huang River valley was a place of conflict and turmoil

The Qin A Qin general took control of the Huang River delta Eventually, he conquered all of northern China The Qin general declared himself emperor (“supreme ruler”)

Shihaungdi This Qin general (now emperor) called himself “Shihaungdi” Translates to “first grand emperor” Boasted that the Qin dynasty would last for 10,000 generations

How did the Qin win control? Geography played a part in their victory The original Qin region was protected by the Qinling Mountains on one side and the Huang River on the other

Think: How would you describe Shihaungdi’s character?

Shihuangdi’s Government Shihuangdi split the empire into provinces Let farmers own land (weakened the power of the nobles) He forced many nobles to move to the capital city, Xianyang (shee AHN yang) There he took away their bronze weapons

Think: Who are “nobles?” Why would Shihuangdi keep them under strict control?

Other ideas by Shihuangdi Set up a single system of writing throughout the empire Created a single system of money to be used throughout the empire Holes in the coins allowed people to keep their money on a string These changes were strictly enforced by emperor’s soldiers

Qin Farmers Under Shihuangdi’s leadership, the empire was unified and strong The empire became rich from farmer’s taxes Farmers were required to build the highways that linked the cities of the empire They were also called upon to strengthen and connect walls along the empire’s northern border Farmers were the backbone of the Qin empire!

Building the Emperor’s Tomb Emperor wanted his tomb to be a spectacular mirror of the real world Clay soldiers were carefully constructed and stood guard To keep out robbers, crossbows were set up that would shoot arrows The treasure-filled tomb was laid out like a giant map of the empire

Think About It How did farmers help to make Shihuangdi’s empire strong? What qualities might have been admired in the first emperor? What qualities were probably feared? How was Shihuangdi able to gain control over China?