THE QIN DYNASTY
221 BCE – 206 BCE
Administrative Institutions
 Projection of Military Power
 Success through trade and economic
integration
 Social Structure
 Labor Systems
 Role of patriarchy
 Reasons for decline
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Setting the Stage: The Qin
Previous rulers: Zhou Dynasty
 Zhou ruled from 1027 BCE to 256 BCE.
 “Warring States” period: 475 BCE221BCE.
 Feudal society… the Qin would emerge
and unify China.
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China under the Qin dynasty,
221-207 B.C.E.
The First Emperor
Qin Shihuangdi (r. 221-210 BCE)
founds new dynasty as “First Emperor”
 Dynasty ends in 207, but sets dramatic
precedent
 Basis of rule: centralized bureaucracy
 Massive public works begun
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Precursor to Great Wall
NEW TECHNIQUES OF
IMPERIAL ADMINISTRTION
In order to organize their subjects, rulers created
“administrative institutions”.
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Centralized Government
Abolishes old “feudal states” and divides China
into 36 military districts, each ruled by appointed
officials.
Use of inspectors (spies) to keep local officials in
check.
Shi Huangdi forces all “noble families” to live in
the capital in Xianyang.
Nobles land was divided up amongst the
peasants who had to pay very high taxes.
LEGALISM
Shi Huangdi adopts Legalism as his
primary ruling philospohy.
 Read “Memorandum on the Burning of
Books” p.80 in the Duiker book.
 Discuss the questions with your group
members.
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Imperial governments projected “military
power” over larger areas.
Example: The Great Wall
 Needed to prevent raids from nomads to
the North.
 What did the “Great Wall” say to
outsiders?
 Also builds numerous roads and canals to
help improve transportation.
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The Great Wall of China
Promotion of trade and economic integration
help promote the success of empires.
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Standardized:
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Laws
Currencies
Weights and measures
Script
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Previously: single language written in distinct scripts
Building of roads, bridges
Government Monopolies: mining, wine making,
and salt distribution.
Private commerce heavily taxed.
Hierarchical “social structures”
The Emperor
 Landlords (ruled over the 36 military
districts)
 Merchants
 Peasants
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“Labor Systems” were used to for food
production, public works projects, and to reward
the elites.
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Forced labor used for most
projects such as the Great
Wall and “Terra Cotta”
soldiers. Peasants were
required to serve months at a
time.
While peasants did receive
land from the new emperor,
they were taxed heavily.
TERRA COTTA SOLDIERS
Patriarchal Rule
Family roles similar to those found in other
early civilizations.
 Emphasis on unity and the power of the
husband and father.
 Women had clearly defined roles.
Generally were subordinate.
 Women could and did exercise influence
behind the scenes.
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REASONS FOR THE DECLINE OF
THE QIN
Attacks on intellectuals.
2) Heavy tax burden placed on the
peasants to fund military conquests and
public projects.
3) Brutal rule
EXAMPLES: 476 scholars buried alive,
book burnings….
1)