The Qin Dynasty which emerged victorious over the 6 other major Kingdoms during “The Warring States” period in China was the first empire that unified what is now roughly modern China. More importantly, it standardized much of the concepts that affected daily life for its citizens, such as money, written language, roads, weights, and measures, and created the basis for the future Chinese role of emperors and the organization of the political structure that continued in its basic form until 1911. It also is credited with some of the greatest public works projects in human history such as the beginning of the Great Wall of China, canal building and irrigation projects, mass production techniques, the Terracotta Warriors of Xian, and a massive mausoleum project for the emperor’s body after death.
4. 476
BC - 221 BC
7 Kingdoms sought dominance of
“Middle Kingdom” which is large area of
modern China
Wall building to defend kingdoms began
Similar political structure to Europe’s
Feudalism
Qin finally defeated other 6 kingdoms
Qin Dynasty 1st unified China Empire
5.
6.
7. Expansion
of mounted cavalry troops
Foot soldiers instead of chariot battling
nobles
1 million man army
Mass production of iron weaponry
Increased irrigation projects fed army
Massive population boom
Controlled knowledge
Defeated northern kingdoms THEN Chu
Fought Chu 238-223 BCE – 15 years!
8. Watch
the video and note the
examples of differences in how the
Qin conducted warfare during the
Warring States period
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e
qV901J5Pw4
9. Ying Zhang 256-210
BCE
13 years old at start
22 year old seized total
power
Qin Shihuang Di
means “First Emperor
of Qin”
Tyrannt
Standardization
Sought immortallity
10. Currency
Weights
Measurements
Written
Language
Political structure
Military
Public works – Great Wall, Tomb, Canals
Width of roads – transportation increased
Wagon axle size
13. Legalism
– Against
Daoism & Confucius
Centralized control
Reduced feudal
control
Controlled education
Book burning
460 scholars buried
alive
14. Philosophy
that suggested that all work and
production should be focused for the
advantage of the State. The individual was of
little importance. It was directly opposed to
Daoism, and did not share much of the
idealism or moderation of Confucian
philosophy. It also called for a strong military.
It is similar to the 20th century governing style
of Fascism (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Fascist
Spain during World War II)
16. 720,000
workers
Terracotta Warriors
Mausoleum
Rivers of mercury
Scale model of
country
36 years to construct
Finished 210 BCE
17. What
profession do you want to
have when you grow up
What
do you think you will be
doing in 4 years?
18.
19. Qin
Dynasty was short lived, but it set
the standard for dynasties to follow. It
was overthrown by a peasant revolt
which also became a common vehicle
for change to future dynasties! It did
unify the country for the first time and
standardized much of everyday life’s
important tools and aspects for the
Chinese people!
20. The
Qin Dynasty was the first unified China
that represented most of what is now China.
The Qin were responsible for the
centralization of power of the emperor.
The Qin is still remembered for its bookburnings and anti-intellectual repression.
The Qin STANDARDIZED much of the
organizing elements of everyday life.
The Qin tried to control EVERY aspect of its
citizen’s lives.