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Shi Huangdi: The Role Of Legalism In Ancient China

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During the Warring States period (475 – 221 BC), China was made up of seven major states which were often at war with each other. In 221 BC, Shi Huangdi unified the major warring states under the Qin dynasty. Rather than maintain the title of king, he ruled as the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty from 220 to 210 BC. During his reign, he supported the philosophy of Legalism. Legalism in ancient China was a philosophical belief that human beings are essentially bad because they are inherently selfish. No one, unless forced to, willingly does good. Accordingly, a ruler had to create a body of strict laws with strict punishments.
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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.

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Confucianism also teaches about the necessary principles of governing. In Legalism, the most important principles to governing properly are having clear laws that are firmly imposed and possessing a strong military. Confucius agrees that a military is one of the necessary governing principles. When asked about governing principles he lists three things: sufficient food, an ample military, and trust people have for the governmental powers (Confucius Speaks, 88). However, probably much to the disagreement of Legalists, the military is the first thing Confucius knocks of the list, seeing it as the most unessential of the three (Confucius Speaks, 88).

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