Name ______________________________________
Shi Huangdi
Date______________
Miss V.
Monster or Visionary?
Historians are in agreement that the Qin dynasty was one of China’s most powerful
dynasty’s. The Qin dynasty was established by Shi Huangdi, who united China and
became the first emperor of China. But, Historians disagree as to whether or not Shi
Huangdi was an insane monster or progressive visionary. On the one hand, Shi
Huangdi used fear and brutality to rule his people. On the other hand, Shi Huangdi
established key features in China that continue to shape China today.
What do you think? Was Shi Huangdi a monster or visionary?
Use the facts below to weigh both sides of the argument. Decide for yourself if Shi
Huangdi was a monster or visionary. Pick a side and defend your position with valid
reasoning, logic, and evidence. Respond with an answer in paragraph form that
includes a thesis statement.
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Monster
Controlled what people studied and talked
about. Those who spoke out against the Qin
dynasty were buried alive or sent to work
on the Great Wall.
Set up a spy system that forced neighbors
to spy on each other or be executed.
Totally rejected Confucianism, which
taught fairness and respect. He burned all
books that preached Confucianism. Anyone
who defended Confucianism was buried
alive or sent to work on the Great Wall.
Established a legalistic style of rule. This
was a very harsh type of rule that forced
people to obey totally or be executed.
He wanted to live forever and was
obsessed with trying to figure it out. This
may point to him being crazy.
The slightest criticism from anyone
resulted in being executed immediately.
400 scholars/authors who refused to stop
writing and teaching were buried alive or
sent to work on the Great Wall.
Totally discouraged reading because
reading took time away from working in
the fields and growing crops.
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Visionary
He united China, making it much
stronger to outside forces
Set up a system of standardization: all
weights, measurements, money, and
writing was the same across the entire
empire. This made communication
much, much easier.
He ordered the construction of over
4,000 miles of road, improving
transportation throughout the empire.
He added to, and improved the Great
Wall of China, making it a lot more
effective defending the northern
enemies.
He built many canals and ditches for
farming and irrigation. Saved thousands
from dying of starvation.
He built many bridges.
His dynasty invented the compass.
Shi Huangdi established the framework
of the country that still exists today.