Leader Analysis Sheet
Name of Leader: Shi Huangdi
Lifespan: 259-210 BC
Title: Emperor
Country/region: China (Qin Dynasty)
Years in Power: 221 BC – 210 BC
Political, Social, & Economic Conditions Prior to Leaders Gaining Power
Prior to Shi Huangdi ascending to power in 221 BC, China was a socially, politically, and
economically fragmented society with several competing factions. Inter-community trade was
limited, and political infighting was more common than not. In fact, this period in Chinese history
was aptly named “The Era of Warring States.”
Ideology, Motivation, Goals:
Shi Huangdi sought to unite China under one ‘stable’ rule. He also aimed to reform the Chinese
power structure; instead of relying on a ‘feudal’ system, Huangdi centralized power so that he was
able to make more executive decisions.
Significant Actions & events During Term of Power
Although Shi Huangdi proved to be a tyrant, he managed to unite a nation that faced severe political
turmoil. His “crisis management” style led him to be brutal during his regime, forcing peasants to
work to construct the 3,000 miles Great Wall of China, and imposing exorbitantly high taxes. Still,
he was also able to introduce some form of bureaucracy to China, ordering its first ever census, and
helping to standardize its coinage.
Short-Term effects:
Huangdi was able to create a centralized
government, just barely capable of maintaining
political and social order. People benefited from
being part of a larger Chinese community, but it
came at the cost of a wholly repressive
government.
Long-Term Effects
Shi Huangdi’s Qin dynasty was not able to
sustain its rule for more than eleven years
because of his oppressive methods; instead,
within a decade of the fall of the Qin, a new
more enduring regime, called the Han dynasty,
was able to claim power through a peasant’s
revolt.