| Who was the First Emperor of China? | | | | prosperous at the other states' expense. After his |
| Giving your students a close look at the First Emperor | | | | victories, King Zheng gave himself a new title to reflect |
| of China will open their eyes to the wonders of an | | | | the magnitude of his accomplishments: Qin Shi Huangdi |
| ancient land that was hidden from the world for | | | | (First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty). |
| centuries. | | | | He supported the Legalist philosophy which believed |
| Qin Shi Huangdi (259 - 210 B.C.), the First Emperor of | | | | that man was basically evil and needed to be |
| China, was a man of "extreme power" as his many | | | | controlled with a strong authoritarian government. The |
| accomplishments demonstrated. He was also called | | | | books and teachings of Confucius were banned and |
| Qin Shi Huang, Shi Huangdi Di, Qin Shihuangdi, and King | | | | destroyed. |
| Zheng. His given name was Ying Zheng. The legends | | | | Weights and measures were standardized under his |
| that described him as a great warrior and ruthless | | | | rule. Currency and the legal system were also unified. |
| tyrant were written over 100 years after his death. | | | | Feudalism was abolished and land was given to |
| When archaeologists discovered the Terracotta Army | | | | peasant farmers. |
| in Xi'an in the center of China (in 1974), the legend of | | | | To protect his empire from invasion from the north, Qin |
| Qin Shi Huangdi came to life. | | | | Shi Huangdi ordered that his country's defenses be |
| What we know about Qin Shi Huangdi: | | | | built up with the creation of a Great Wall. This first wall |
| He became king of the western state of Qin at age 13 | | | | was built with stones in the mountainous regions of the |
| after the death of his father. | | | | country, and with earth in the plains. Most of this original |
| Qin Shi Huangdi united the 'Seven Warring States' in | | | | wall has eroded away with the passage of time. Later |
| 221 B.C. into a united China through combat and harsh | | | | dynasties have replaced most of the wall built by Qin |
| laws. Six of the seven states were weakened by | | | | Shi Huandi. |
| endless warfare, while the state of Qin grew | | | | |