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.

1.  Enjoy
the remake of Lady GaGa song into
song about Qin Dynasty!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5atoe51Y
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2. QIN
DYNASTY
221 – 207 B.C.E.

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

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

11.  Ban
Liang Coin
 Circular coin with
square center cut out

12. Qinzhuan

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)

15.  Over
1 million
workers
 Stamped earth
reinforced by reeds
 Connected existing
walls

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?

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.

21. Qin
Qin
Shihuang Di
Great Wall of China
Terracotta Warriors
Dynasty
Legalism