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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 |
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During what is referred to as "The Warring States
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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