Notes (Jan 27th, 2010)
Qin Dynasty was the first unified, multi-national and power-centralized state in the Chinese history. It lasted from
221 BC to 207 BC. Although surviving only 15 years, the dynasty held an important role in Chinese history and it
exerted great influence on the following dynasties. Only two emperors, Yingzheng – Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first
emperor in the Chinese history, and Emperor Hu Hai ever ruled the state, which was finally overthrown by the
people’s uprising.
Qin Dynasty was the first unified, multi-national and power-centralized state in the Chinese history. It lasted from
221 BC to 207 BC. Although surviving only 15 years, the dynasty held an important role in Chinese history and it
exerted great influence on the following dynasties. Only two emperors, Yingzheng – Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first
emperor in the Chinese history, and Emperor Hu Hai ever ruled the state, which was finally overthrown by the
people’s uprising.
During the late Warring States Period (476 BC – 221 BC), the state of Qin was in its full development. When Emperor
Yingzheng was in his reign, he defeated the other six states (Han, Zhao, Wei, Yan, Chu and Qi), from 230 BC to 221
BC. So ending the chaos caused by wars among vassals that had lasted over 500 years. He established a unified and
centralized country and declared Xianyang, in Shaanxi Province, the capital city of the Qin.
During the late Warring States Period (476 BC – 221 BC), the state of Qin was in its full development. When Emperor
Yingzheng was in his reign, he defeated the other six states (Han, Zhao, Wei, Yan, Chu and Qi), from 230 BC to 221
BC. So ending the chaos caused by wars among vassals that had lasted over 500 years. He established a unified and
centralized country and declared Xianyang, in Shaanxi Province, the capital city of the Qin.
To strengthen the unity of the nation to perpetuate the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin carried out many reforms in
politics, economy, military affairs, and culture.
In politics, he declared himself the Emperor of the state. All major powers including politics, economy, military
affairs were in his hand. Executive organizations both in the central and local places were systematically
reorganized and local counties were restructured.
The Qin came to power in 221 B.C. They were one of the western states that existed during the Warring States Period.
They conquered the other Warring States, unifying China for the first time. Their leader named himself the First
Emperor, or Shi huangdi, thus beginning the tradition of having emperors for rulers. The Qin, while not the most
culturally advanced of the Warring States was militarily the strongest. They utilized many new technologies in
warfare, especially cavalry. The Qin are sometimes called the Ch’in, which is probably where the name China
originated.
The Qin made many changes that were meant to unify China and aid in administrative tasks. First, the Qin implemented
a Legalist form of government, which was how the former Qin territory had been governed. The area was divided up in
36 commanderies which were then subdivided into counties. These commanderies had a civil governor, a military
commander, and an imperial inspector. The leaders of the commanderies had to report to the Emperor in writing. The
Legalist form of government involved rewards and
punishments to keep order.
Also, the state had absolute control over the people, and the former nobility lost all of their power. The nobility
were also transplanted from their homes to the capital. Groups were formed of units of five to ten families, which
then had a group responsibility for the wrongdoings of any individual within the group.
In his economy, the Emperor standardized weights and measures and he stipulated that the round coin with square hole
(Ban Liang Coin) should be the coin used in the country.
In addition, the Emperor standardized the written character, making the Qinzhuan the standard font. He also placed
great importance on infrastructure: irrigation works and road building projects. The miracle of the world, the Great
Wall of China, was built under his order.
All that he achieved had promoted the development of Qin’s economy.
To prevent his people to think freely, he burnt many books which he feared would affect people’s thinking. Worse, in
his second year, after he learnt some scholars’ discussions about his arrogance, he buried 460 of them alive. In
history, these two events are called ‘To Burn the Books and Bury the Scholars Alive’.
During this time, many schools of thought were outlawed; only legalism was given official sanction. In 213 BCE, all
the books of the opposing schools of thought were burned except for the copies held in the Qin imperial library. The
only way for emperor to keep his nation together was to have all his subjects think the same way. Any deviation
would throw China back to the hundreds of years of warring.
And yet, at the same time, the Emperor built luxurious palaces, the Great Wall, the famous Terra-Cotta Warriors and
Horses, together with his own mausoleum, by imposing on the masses, through hard labor, heavy taxes, and rigorous
law and military service, giving the community a difficult and arduous existence.
The Qin empire was vast. The first emperor pushed China’s borders South to current day Vietnam, and current day
Korea. But the central kingdom was still in the Yellow River Valley. Regardless, of all the accomplishments of the
Qin, the best known is the Great Wall of China.
The army of terra cotta soldiers also dates the Qin Dynasty. Found in the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi’s tomb.
February 15, 2010 at 2:32 am
i agree with this post