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| Qin
Dynasty ~ 221 BC - 207 BC |
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| Major
Advancements: The First Highway System,
Standard Weights and Measures, National Written
Language. |
| Major
Public Works:The
Great Wall, The
Terracotta Army |
| Qin
Shihuangdi |
221-210
BC |
Er
Shi |
210-207
BC |
During
what is referred to as "The Warring State s
Period" ( over 500 years ), China was divided
into over a dozen separate kingdoms which were
constantly at war. Borders moved, smaller feudal
states were absorbed by larger ones, until
eventually one state ( Qin ) became the most
powerful. In 221 BC the Qin state defeated the last
of its rivals. The leader of the Qin state, declared
himself Qin Shihuandi. The First Emperor of China.
Qin had successfully unified China and began the
longest period of rule by a single political system
the world has known. Among his great accomplishments
are The Great Wall of China, The Terracotta Army,
and over 4,000 miles of highways which connected the
Capital with distant provinces. Qin also introduced
standardized weights and measures. Even the width of
the axles on carts and carriages was standardized so
they would ride in the same ruts in the roads. The
written characters of the many different regions
were simplified, and the first national written
language was established. Chinas first bureaucratic
administration was also created. From this
administration came many harsh new laws including
the mandatory burning of all books from the
conquered states. Because of the massive demands
placed upon the population to create his public
works, and his many unpleasant new laws, the dynasty
was short lived. Within 15 years the government had
collapsed and a period of feudalism and civil war
followed. China was once again reunited by the Han. |
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