Qin Dynasty 221-207 BCE
By: Kevin and Evan
Chinese Flag During The Qin Dynasty
Politics
Qin Shi Huang was a strong military leader from the state of Qin. He was warring against the other 6 states, and eventually defeated them and declared himself emperor, therefore unifying China. He made Buddhism illegal and started following a philosophy called Legalism. Legalism required strict laws, good management techniques, and the manipulation of political purchase. All major powers were in his hand including politics, the economy, and the military. He used all of these things in good and bad ways. He conquered more lands with his increased military strength. But, he used these things in very bad ways too, and most people thought of him as a bad emperor. He had a very harsh rule over the people of China and burned books to prevent knowledge from being spread. Later on, he was wasting money and manpower on luxurious palaces. These factors led to the ending of a very short dynasty. Emperor Qin ruled for most of the Qin Dynasty and when he died, his son took power. His son had a very weak rule over China, so shortly after, the Qin fell.
Painting Of Emperor Qin
Computer Art Of Emperor Qin
Canvas Painting Of Emperor Qin
Economics
Emperor Qin transformed the Chinese economic system tremendously. He created laws that made all weights, measures, and currency in China the same. This way, when people traded with each other, there were less problems and the government made more money. Coins became a very important product during the Qin Dynasty because when Emperor Qin made all currency the same, trading became a lot more popular. During the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin wanted a very large and strong army to prevent rebellions. Many more soldiers were needed, which increased job opportunities for people. The job as blacksmith grew because many people were needed to help make the army's weapons and armor. Jobs as tailors became more needed to make the soldier's clothes. The Qin traded along the Silk Road, some people going as far as Europe. They traded silk, food, and weapons for things they could not manufacture in China. These trades helped China in many ways.
Coin From The Qin Dynasty
Inventions, Technology, Science & Agriculture
During the Qin Dynasty, a new kind of foot soldiers were invented. They were usually equipped with a bronze sword and a spear on occasion. The swords were made with longer blades so soldiers could stab more easily. The Qin put crossbows to use and also modified them. Some crossbows had scopes and could shoot more than one bolt at a time. The Qin were also the first to start working on and creating gunpowder, but gunpowder was not used as a weapon until 904 CE. Using a piece of lodestone balanced on a disc of jade, the Qin also created the compass. However, their compass always pointed South. Emperor Qin also ordered for a giant wall to be built to prevent foreign invasions. The workers first joined together a bunch of small, already built walls. Then they added on to the walls and created the Great Wall of China, which is now the largest man-made structure ever built. Watch towers were built on the Great Wall of China so soldiers could send smoke signals to one another if they were under attack. Even though the Great Wall of China was good for the economic system, it came at a great cost of human life. Emperor Qin made the workers work very hard. The harsh work killed an estimated 2-3 million Chinese people. Many more canals were built to prevent floods. When Emperor Qin died, he was buried with an entire army made out of terracotta. The terracotta warriors were supposed to guard Qin's tomb and also accompany him to the next world and serve as his army. Research shows there are as many as 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 150 cavalry all buried in Emperor Qin's tomb.
Religon
After the banning of Buddhism, Confucianism, also known as Ruism, was born. Confucianism is a system of philosophical and "ethical-sociopolitical teachings." The Qin believed in the afterlife and whatever was with the deceased went with them to the afterlife. Emperor Qin burned a mass amount of books in an infamous occasion, insuring that his people would not learn about the dynasties in the past. Qin also established all writing throughout China would be the same, which helps the economy and more books of literature written and read. Later in his life, he created a multi-sculpture army that would protect him in the afterlife. Emperor Qin ruled as a tyrant, making daily life for the people very hard. Qin forced men away from their families to work on the Great Wall, a very monstrous task to be performed by humankind. Studying was very hard since Emperor Qin only allowed certain books to be read. He also killed scholars the prevent knowledge to be spread by mouth. Farmers worked hard and earned very little money. Women's feet were broken many times, a process called foot-binding. This was considered mandatory. Women's marriages were arranged by their family , so basically women and no rights and had to stay home and work on the housework.
Statue Of Confucious