In 221 BCE, Qin Zheng (Ying Zheng) unified China for the first time and called himself the “First Emperor.” Although his rule was short-lived, he laid the foundation for later China.
Qin Unifies China (221 BCE)
- National strength was increased through Shang Yang’s reforms based on Legalism
- First Emperor (Qin Zheng): First use of the title “emperor” (authority above that of kings)
Policies of the First Emperor
・Commandery and county system: The country was divided into commanderies and counties, and officials were sent from the central government (abolition of the feudal system)
・Standardization of writing, weights and measures, and currency: Standardization of economic activity
・Burning of books and burying of scholars: Confucian books were burned and Confucian scholars were buried alive (control of speech)
・Great Wall of China: To prevent invasions by northern nomads (the Xiongnu)
・Terracotta Army: More than 8000 unglazed clay figures buried in the First Emperor’s tomb
210 BCE, the First Emperor died suddenly → 206 BCE, Qin was destroyed by a peasant rebellion
・Commandery and county system: The country was divided into commanderies and counties, and officials were sent from the central government (abolition of the feudal system)
・Standardization of writing, weights and measures, and currency: Standardization of economic activity
・Burning of books and burying of scholars: Confucian books were burned and Confucian scholars were buried alive (control of speech)
・Great Wall of China: To prevent invasions by northern nomads (the Xiongnu)
・Terracotta Army: More than 8000 unglazed clay figures buried in the First Emperor’s tomb
210 BCE, the First Emperor died suddenly → 206 BCE, Qin was destroyed by a peasant rebellion
Key Points
- Commandery and county system → model of centralized government (followed by later dynasties)
- Unification of writing → formation of the Chinese-character cultural sphere
- “First Emperor” = first emperor; the title “emperor” was used for more than 2200 years afterward
Practice Questions
- What was the name of the local government system adopted by Qin to replace the feudal system?
- What was the name of the policy in which the First Emperor burned Confucian books and punished Confucian scholars?
- What was the name of the army of clay figures discovered near the First Emperor’s tomb?
Answers
- Commandery and county system
- Burning of books and burying of scholars
- Terracotta Army