Agenda PostConquest Qin 1 Centralization of power the

Agenda Post-Conquest Qin 1. Centralization of power -- the Emperor 2. “National” unification projects • Expropriation / Standardization / Construction 3. Military consolidation and expansion • The Xiongnu 4. Defensive mobilization: • The Great Wall 5. Intellectual totalitarianism: • Burning the books & burying the scholars 6. Qin tyranny 7. The influence of Sima Qian 1

c. 1250 1045 771 453 221 206 c. 100 ---|-------|------|=|---- Late Western Spring. Warring Qin Early Shang Zhou Autumn States Han 2

1. Centralizing power The Imperial title – a new-style CEO • Huangdi 皇帝 – “August Deity” • Priority of the First Emperor – Old “naming system” (King Wen, King Wu) – New naming system • First Emperor • Generation Two • Generation Three. . . to Ten Thousand 3

2. Constructing the unified state A. Disarmament B. Expropriation of patrician lands & independence – removal to capital region C. Administrative division of territory D. Standardization of weights & measures E. Standardization of axle widths (roads) F. Standardization of writing G. Standardization of administration & law 4

A. Disarmament • Confiscation of metal weaponry – Old state armies – All private arms • Re-forging into arms for Qin army • Tools of violence monopolized by Imperial state 5

B. Expropriation of patrician lands – removal of patrician clans to capital region • Families with claims to ruling legitimacy – Deprived of titles – Removed from homeland – Transported to region of direct court supervision • Regions deprived of local political leadership 6

C. Administrative division of territory • New system of “counties” and “commanderies” • Demarcated territories under – civil administration (counties) – military administration (commanderies) • Erasure of old state territorial contours 7

County seat Commandery seat 8

D. Standardization of weights & measures; coinage • Erasure of old state market standards & barriers • Uniform system of trade market half-liang coin weight 9

E. Standardization of axle widths and road building • Elimination of barriers to regional transport on dirt roads • Construction of stonepaved roads 10

F. Standardization of writing Regional variety suppressed Universal intelligibility demanded 11

G. Standardization of administration and law Traditional accounts – Detailed codes of criminal law • Harsh and finely graded punishments • Draconian administration of law – Detailed codes of administrative law • Government officers under strict intimidation – Association of law code with Li Si • Recently discovered code books (next class) 12

3. Military Consolidation and Expansion • Expansionism & Xiongnu wars – Unifying force of Xiongnu wars • The Great Wall project – Walls & Chinese culture – Entire country aware of mobilization 13

XIONGNU TRIBES 4. Defensive Mobilization • Construction of the Great Wall – Supervised by Qin military – Enormous mobilization of manpower • Extension of Warring States era “long walls” – Defensive function – Represents consolidation of conquered steppe • Offensive base for expansion 14

5. Intellectual Totalitarianism • Proscription of all non-Legalist/Qin texts – Li Si’s great “burning of the books” • Problems with traditional account • Extermination of intellectual opposition – Live burial of Confucian scholars • Problems with traditional account 15

6. Tyranny • Arbitrary exercise of power by Emperor • Model of evil kings [Xia] Jie & [Shang] Zhòu • Absolutism in application of law – Revolt of Chen She • Cause of rapid Qin disintegration 16

7. The influence of Sima Qian 17