Qin Shi Huang standardized writing, a crucial factor in the overcoming of cultural barriers between provinces, and unifying the empire. He also standardized systems of currency, weights, and measures, and conducted a census of his people.
He established elaborate postal and irrigation systems, and built great highways. In contrast, in line with his attempt to impose Legalism, Qin Shi Huang strongly discouraged philosophy particularly Confucianism and history—he buried Confucian scholars alive and burned many of their philosophical texts, as well as many historical texts that were not about the Qin state.
This burning of books and execution of philosophers marked the end of the Hundred Schools of Thought. The philosophy of Mohism in particular was completely wiped out.
Finally, Qin Shi Huang began the building of the Great Wall of China, one of the greatest construction feats of all time, to protect the nation against barbarians. Seven hundred thousand forced laborers were used in building the wall, and thousands of them were crushed beneath the massive gray rocks.
The wall was roughly 1, miles long, and wide enough for six horses to gallop abreast along the top. The tomb was filled with thousands and thousands of life-sized or larger terracotta soldiers meant to guard the emperor in his afterlife.
This terracotta army was rediscovered in the twentieth century. Each soldier was carved with a different face, and those that were armed had real weapons.
The Terracotta Army. A close-up of two soldiers in the terracotta army. Imagine that you were a "time traveler" who could go back to ancient China and advise the first emperor.
What arguments would you give him that book burning is a bad idea? Time-traveling back to the United States today, do you think the government should have the power to censor materials it considers dangerous such as books, magazines, movies, music recordings, artwork, or software? Cite specific kinds of material that people may think merit censorship and explain your position on each.
Alumni Volunteers The Boardroom Alumni. Curriculum Materials. Add Event. Main Menu Home. Near the end of this violent time, an ambitious rich merchant, Lu Buwei , sought the favor of Zizhu, the crown prince of Qin. Later, this woman gave birth to a child, named Cheng, who eventually would become the first emperor of China.
In any case, when Cheng was years-old, Zizhu became king of Qin and made Lu Buwei his chief adviser. He also ordered all foreigners expelled from Qin. But a brilliant government official, Li Si, persuaded him to cancel the order. Li Si, himself a foreigner, convinced Cheng that many valuable people would end up serving the enemies of Qin if forced to leave.
Li Si so impressed Cheng that the king promoted him minister of justice in place of Lu Buwei. Cheng did not actually lead his troops into battle, but was a master military strategist. He also appointed his generals based on ability rather than family name.
The young king used his mobile cavalry and lightly armored foot soldiers to outmaneuver the enemy's bulky war chariots. Cheng's warriors used the most advanced weapons including bronze swords, spears, and dagger-axes along with longbows and crossbows. Acting on Li Si's advice, Shi Huangdi abolished the old feudal system, which had distributed most lands to powerful lords.
Li Si organized China into 36 districts governed by officials appointed by the first emperor. To further his grasp of power and control, Shi Huangdi ordered all the royal families of the vanquished kingdoms to move to his capital city of Xianyang.
There he could keep watch over them. Before Shi Huangdi became emperor, Qin's rulers followed the teachings of the philosopher Confucius B. Confucius believed in a well-ordered society tied to tradition and the past.
He also valued learning and scholarship. In his view, the state resembled a large family guided by the righteous behavior of the ruler. The ideal leader ruled by compassion, not force, and avoided war while easing the burdens of the poor. According to Confucius, a ruler who failed to set the example of goodness for his subjects would lose the "Mandate of Heaven," and his reign would end in disaster.
Li Si, the first emperor's grand counselor, was also a Legalist. He created a law code to govern the newly unified China. Under the Qin Law Code, district officials, all appointed by the emperor, investigated crimes, arrested suspects, and acted as judges.
When arrested, criminal suspects were often beaten to get a confession. Those arrested were presumed guilty until they could prove their innocence. Trials took place before a judge with no jury or lawyers. Although the harsh punishments were supposed to deter lawbreaking, many people ran afoul of the law. The Qin Law Code covered so many offenses that common people frequently did not realize they had committed a crime until they had been arrested.
Also, the code reflected the Legalist theory of group responsibility. All members of a family faced punishment when one member violated the law. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs.
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