THE QIN DYNASTYTHE QIN DYNASTY 221 BCE – 206 BCE221 BCE – 206 BCE

Administrative InstitutionsAdministrative InstitutionsProjection of Military PowerProjection of Military PowerSuccess through trade and economic Success through trade and economic

integrationintegrationSocial StructureSocial StructureLabor SystemsLabor SystemsRole of patriarchyRole of patriarchyReasons for declineReasons for decline

Setting the Stage: The Qin Setting the Stage: The Qin

Previous rulers: Zhou Dynasty Previous rulers: Zhou Dynasty Zhou ruled from 1027 BCE to 256 BCE.Zhou ruled from 1027 BCE to 256 BCE. ““Warring States” period: 475 BCE-Warring States” period: 475 BCE-

221BCE.221BCE.Feudal society… the Qin would emerge Feudal society… the Qin would emerge

and unify China.and unify China.

China under the Qin dynasty, China under the Qin dynasty, 221-207 B.C.E.221-207 B.C.E.

The First EmperorThe First Emperor

Qin Shihuangdi (r. 221-210 BCE) Qin Shihuangdi (r. 221-210 BCE) founds new dynasty as “First Emperor”founds new dynasty as “First Emperor”

Dynasty ends in 207, but sets dramatic Dynasty ends in 207, but sets dramatic precedentprecedent

Basis of rule: centralized bureaucracyBasis of rule: centralized bureaucracyMassive public works begunMassive public works begun

Precursor to Great WallPrecursor to Great Wall

NEW TECHNIQUES OF NEW TECHNIQUES OF IMPERIAL ADMINISTRTIONIMPERIAL ADMINISTRTION

In order to organize their subjects, rulers created In order to organize their subjects, rulers created “administrative institutions”.“administrative institutions”.

Centralized GovernmentCentralized Government Abolishes old “feudal states” and divides China Abolishes old “feudal states” and divides China

into 36 military districts, each ruled by appointed into 36 military districts, each ruled by appointed officials.officials.

Use of inspectors (spies) to keep local officials in Use of inspectors (spies) to keep local officials in check.check.

Shi Huangdi forces all “noble families” to live in Shi Huangdi forces all “noble families” to live in the capital in Xianyang.the capital in Xianyang.

Nobles land was divided up amongst the Nobles land was divided up amongst the peasants who had to pay very high taxes.peasants who had to pay very high taxes.

LEGALISMLEGALISM

Shi Huangdi adopts Legalism as his Shi Huangdi adopts Legalism as his primary ruling philospohy.primary ruling philospohy.

Read Read “Memorandum on the Burning of “Memorandum on the Burning of Books”Books” p.80 in the p.80 in the DuikerDuiker book. book.

Discuss the questions with your group Discuss the questions with your group members.members.

Imperial governments projected “military Imperial governments projected “military power” over larger areaspower” over larger areas..

Example: Example: The Great WallThe Great Wall Needed to prevent raids from nomads to Needed to prevent raids from nomads to

the North.the North.What did the “Great Wall” say to What did the “Great Wall” say to

outsiders?outsiders?Also builds numerous roads and canals to Also builds numerous roads and canals to

help improve transportation.help improve transportation.

The Great Wall of The Great Wall of ChinaChina

The Great Wall of The Great Wall of ChinaChina

Promotion of Promotion of tradetrade and and economic integrationeconomic integration help promote the success of empires.help promote the success of empires.

Standardized:Standardized: LawsLaws CurrenciesCurrencies Weights and measuresWeights and measures ScriptScript

Previously: single language written in distinct scriptsPreviously: single language written in distinct scripts

Building of roads, bridges Building of roads, bridges Government Monopolies: mining, wine making, Government Monopolies: mining, wine making,

and salt distribution.and salt distribution. Private commerce heavily taxed.Private commerce heavily taxed.

Hierarchical “social structures”Hierarchical “social structures”

The EmperorThe EmperorLandlords (ruled over the 36 military Landlords (ruled over the 36 military

districts)districts)MerchantsMerchantsPeasantsPeasants

““Labor Systems”Labor Systems” were used to for food were used to for food production, public works projects, and to reward production, public works projects, and to reward

the elites.the elites. Forced labor used for most Forced labor used for most

projects such as the Great projects such as the Great Wall and “Terra Cotta” Wall and “Terra Cotta” soldiers. Peasants were soldiers. Peasants were required to serve months at a required to serve months at a time.time.

While peasants did receive While peasants did receive land from the new emperor, land from the new emperor, they were taxed heavily. they were taxed heavily.

TERRA COTTA SOLDIERSTERRA COTTA SOLDIERS

Patriarchal RulePatriarchal Rule

Family roles similar to those found in other Family roles similar to those found in other early civilizations.early civilizations.

Emphasis on unity and the power of the Emphasis on unity and the power of the husband and father.husband and father.

Women had clearly defined roles. Women had clearly defined roles. Generally were subordinate.Generally were subordinate.

Women could and did exercise influence Women could and did exercise influence behind the scenes.behind the scenes.

REASONS FOR THE REASONS FOR THE DECLINEDECLINE OF OF THE QINTHE QIN

1)1) Attacks on intellectuals.Attacks on intellectuals.

2)2) Heavy tax burden placed on the Heavy tax burden placed on the peasants to fund military conquests and peasants to fund military conquests and public projects.public projects.

3)3) Brutal ruleBrutal rule

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES: 476 scholars buried alive, 476 scholars buried alive, book burnings….book burnings….