Shi Huangdi, the brutal ruler of the Qins, understood the problem with the regional power of aristocrats and operated to undermine them by shaping China into provinces ruled by bureaucrats selected by the emperor. Governors chosen by the emperor controlled each district and implemented military and legal powers in the name of the emperor. Governors appointed officials for smaller regions—thus, starting a method of centralized government that would continue throughout dynastic
For one thing, Qin Shihuangdi was selfish. Qin Shihuangdi made himself emperor and ruled his empire with ferocious efficiency. Qin Shihuangdi had the Great Wall built for thirty years causing countless thousands to lose their lives.
Qin Shi Huangdi was the first emperor to unify all regions of China into one single empire, taking drastic steps and measures to achieve this aim. He conquered six kingdoms and survived many attempts on his life. Through his barbarity and brutality, he had earned himself the title of the most successful and influential man of China. The State of Qin believed in a political philosophy called Legalism, which justified strict and centralized control and using the people to strengthen Qin. They believed that part of strengthening his rule was to force everyone to simply obey, not speak out against him and by decreeing even how people could write, what they could believe and what they could do.
In 246 BCE Prince Zheng ascended to the Qin throne and lead the dynasty to vanquish all enemies and unite China under one ruler, himself, "The First Emperor," for the first time in history. It's debatable whether Emperor Zheng was one of the greats, but he wanted to be as he expressed good morals according to Confucian standards by climbing up five mountains, also known as his, "expeditions." At every mountaintop, Zheng carved his accomplishments on stone and left it there for the world to see. This act supported not only his dynasty, but the Confucianism teachings which believed the role of all great rulers was to lead their subjects in ritual. Heacily influenced by legalist teachings, Emperor Zheng also demonstrated more control over his subjects than previous
Shi Huangdi was a strong supporter of legalism which caused him to oppress his people. He would punish his people in inhumane ways such as murdering them. In Document Set 3 source B, it shows scholars being executed and their books being burnt, so that there was one central power. Shi Huangdi didn’t want anyone going against him or the laws so he’d penalize people very harshly.
The Qin Dynasty reigned over a small period but made great/bad changes to Ancient China. The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty was Qin Shi Huang, a legalist. The Qin Dynasty was full of legalist changes. Qin Dynasty was changed by Qin Shi Huang by introducing legalism, making laws, and standardizing money for Ancient China. The Qin Dynasty was full of legalist change.
King Zheng of Qin claimed the mandate of heaven and controlled center state more than the Zhou dynasty. Zheng took the title Shi Huangdi as the first August Emperor. Dividing China into thirty-six provinces then, counties. Each county had a civilian and military governor, answering to an inspector general. And, regional and local officials answered to the emperor.
The emperor was hated for burning books and for forcing citizens to work on the wall. Shi Huangdi helped China centralize which unified them at the cost of human freedom.
“Document #2” entitled “The Emperor with an ego big enough for all time” proves that Emperor Shi Huangdi had many reforms that focused on the betterment of society by discussing his “most significant reforms” such as a “standardize Chinese script [writing], weights, measures, and even the length of the cart axles”(Doc. 2). Additionally, Qin Shi Huangdi also created an extensive network of roads and canals that improved the trade and communication of troops between provinces (Doc 2). The reason why he did this was to improve everyday life for the citizens of the Qin dynasty. For example, the standardized axle length made travel much safer, easier and faster since everyone’s cart took up the same amount of space on the road. As well as creating standardized axle, Qin Shi Huangdi created a standardized currency that was used throughout the empire.
Qin Shi Huang made many changes to how he wanted to rule China, however, some of the most important and famed revisions were his different methods of managing his land. Distribution of lands during previous dynasties, like the Zhou dynasty(1046 BCE-256 BCE) (Britannica, Zhou dynasty, 2016, 2018), was too lax compared to the Qin; because they allowed pre-existing rulers to maintain their land. “Zhou kings sent members of their family to set up fortresses and rule new territories in the conquered lands. They also made local rulers into feudal lords who ruled for them.
The army of Qin was attacking until 221 BCE when the last province fell (Szczepanski). Then Qin became the original Chinese Empire as Di conquered all of the principalities around his kingdom, and created what is now Eastern China (Krings 104). Ying Zheng was the name he was born with, but changed it when he conquered his part of China in 221 BCE to Qin Shi Huangdi Which translates to First Emperor of Qin (Lubow). Qin Shi Huangdi was the first emperor of China at age thirteen and ruled from 221 BCE to 210 BCE (Krings
Gaozu, the founder of the Han dynasty was the first low-ranked official to found a dynasty in imperial China. In 209BC, Gaozu spearheaded the rebellion against the tyrannical practices of the Qin dynasty. The changes enacted by the Han’s first emperor are central to understanding the political rule and authority in Han China due to the fact that the rulers that succeeded him follow suit in a majority of his policies. Throughout
Qin Shi Huang-di is often regarded as a great leader within history. However, he was also paranoid and got rid of anyone who disagreed with him, but without Qin, there might be no China. Furthermore, despite his mixed reputation today, he brought six warring kingdoms together to form the basis of a country that has lasted to this day, an impressive feat that was a huge turning point in Chinese history. Qin’s effect on China and by default, on the other countries of the world was enormous. In fact, his dynasty, the Qin dynasty, even gave China its name (“Shi Huangdi Becomes Emperor”).
They believed that the government should use law and punishment to end civil disorder. They also believed that a strong government was key to the system of legalism. After the Zhou dynasty was replaced by the Qin dynasty, legalist ideals were employed within the new dynasty. The Emperor of this new dynasty was named Shi Huangdi, which translates to " the
This kept the people of China from ever considering to standing up to their ruler. Whereas the people of India were able to live more lenient lives. Until the death of the ruler Qin it remained this way. The next dynasty was The Glorious Han Dynasty. The ruler of this dynasty was of peasant origin and was not as harsh as his predecessor.
