1. The Chin Dynasty BCE

4. China had been many independent provinces for many centuries
Both the Shang and Chou dynasties never completely ruled all of China
For more the 250 years China fought during the Period of warring states
This brought about the Chin dynasty

5. Period of Warring States 475 BCE to 221 BCE
The Warring States period was when regional warlords annexed smaller states and consolidated their power
Seven major states rose in power and attempted to seize power and control over China
During this time, bronze was abandoned and replaced with iron weapons

6. THE ART of WAR, by Sun Tzu was written during this conflict.
"Every battle is won or lost before it's ever fought.”
This is considered one of the greatest books ever written on military strategy and tactics
After more than two centuries of warfare, the Qin state emerged stronger than other states
This begins the Chin Dynasty, 221 BCE-206 BCE

7. The Chin dynasty was repressive, autocratic and rather cruel
Yet, they also brought about great reforms which were so important, China took its name from the Chin
The Chin adopted the ideas of legalism
They believed that people could only be controlled by strict laws

8. The Chin created a strong central government for the first time in China’s history
A strong military
A tightly controlled economy
Strict control of their citizens
Once the Chin dynasty began, it served as a model for future Chinese dynasties

9. The Chin centralized all their power in the emperor and his ministers
They brought about an end to the feudal system
All ministers of the government would now be appointed by the central government
Many of the wealthy and the aristocracy had their land seized and distributed the peasants

10. The government then taxed the peasants directly
The Chin standardized money, weights and measurements
People were put to death for Corruption
All ideas except Legalism was banned and teachers who disobeyed were put to death
Many books and information was burned during the Chin
The Chin severely controlled commerce

11. Merchants were seen as parasites, taxed heavily and executed for minor offenses
The Chin believed that only the military, soldiers and farmers were necessary
All other professions were not needed
The Chin expanded their borders more than any other dynasty to date

12. The Chin saw as their greatest threat the nomadic horsemen in the north
They began to build a series of walls to keep them out of China