The Qin dynasty (also written as Ch’in) was brief, 221 B.C. - 206 B.C, but much was accomplished during this 15-year period. It was the first dynasty whose emperor ruled over a unified China, following his defeat of seven warring states. One currency and a single system of weights and measures for the entire empire were created and a standardized Chinese written language was established. Construction of a national highway system and the Great Wall of China were begun. The name, China, even originated from the word Ch’in.
Despite all these advances, this was a very repressive and strict period of ruling. Emperor Ch’in Shi Huang, derived from Shi Huangdi meaning “first emperor,” was a much-feared tyrant, who ruled with an iron fist. Ch’in Shi Huang began building his own tomb at the age of thirteen, immediately after ascending to the throne following his father’s death.. This was contradictory to Confucian beliefs at the time that “a son should demonstrate respect for his father by......
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