Qin Shi Huang Chinas First Emperor First Emperor

Qin Shi Huang 秦始皇 China’s First Emperor "First Emperor" (from 220 BC) http: //dsc. discovery. com/convergence/firstemperor. html

• Qin Shi Huang was the First Emperor of a unified China, who ruled from 246 B. C. to 210 B. C. • In his 35 -year reign, he managed to create magnificent and enormous construction projects. • He also caused both incredible cultural and intellectual growth … • and much destruction within China

• Ying Zheng became king of the Qin state in 246 B. C. , upon the death of his supposed father. • He changed his name Qin Shi Huang, and unified China for the first time. • The young king was only 13 years old when he took the throne, so his prime minister (and probable real father) Lu Buwei acted as regent for the first eight years

• This was a difficult time for any ruler in China, with seven warring states vying for control of the land. • The leaders of the Qi, Yan, Zhao, Han, Wei, Chu and Qin states were former dukes under the Zhou Dynasty, but had each proclaimed themselves king as the Zhou fell apart.

• The Han kingdom fell in 230 B. C. • In 229, a devastating earthquake rocked another powerful state, Zhao, leaving it weakened. Qin Shi Huang took advantage of the disaster, and invaded the region. • Wei fell in 225, followed by the powerful Chu in 223. • The Qin army conquered Yan and Zhao in 222 • The final independent kingdom, Qi, fell to the Qin in 221 B. C.

• With the defeat of the other six warring states, Qin Shi Huang had unified northern China. • His army would continue to expand the Qin Empire's southern boundaries throughout his lifetime, driving as far south as what is now Vietnam. • The king of Qin became the Emperor of Qin China.

Qin Shi Huang's Quest for Immortality • As he entered middle age, the First Emperor grew more and more afraid of death. He became obsessed with finding the elixir of life, which would allow him to live forever. • The court doctors and alchemists concocted a number of potions, many of them containing "quicksilver" (mercury), which probably had the ironic effect of hastening the emperor's death rather than preventing it. • The Emperor died while touring eastern China in 210 B. C. • The cause of death most likely was mercury poisoning, due to his immortality treatments. • His son only ruled 15 years before the Qin dynasty fell

The Controversy • Everyone agrees that Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, was one of the most important rulers in Chinese history. – A great leader and reformer who tried to make China great or… – A brutal tyrant who was only concerned with making himself more powerful no matter who or what he destroyed.

A Great Reformer – His Achievements • He ordered the unification of Chinese characters, currency, weights and measures, that • have had a strong and long-lasting influence on China. • He was the pioneer in creating the legal system in China. • He ordered the construction of road system which eventually played an extremely important role in ancient transportation and economic exchanges. • He standardized the length of the axles of carts, so every cart could run smoothly in the ruts of the new roads. • He ordered the building and restoration of the Great Wall of China.

A Tyrant Ruler – His Brutal Rules • Extremely severe penal codes. For example, if one person was guilty, he would be killed along with his family, his extended families as well as his fellow classmates, villagers, teachers, friends and acquaintances. • Burdened people with endless demands for taxes and labour in wars, building of the Great Wall and building of his Mausoleum, Terra Cotta Army, palaces and roads. • Burnt almost all classic books, excluding those of medicine and agriculture. • Ordered 460 scholars to be buried alive. • Confiscated all weapons from the general public. • Forced people (especially rich people) to migrate to the newly built capital Xianyang (next to Xian).

Video: The First Emperor • • Qin Shi Huang : The first emperor Zhao Ji/Queen Zhao: his mother King Zhuangxiang : His father Lü Buwei: Prime Minister of China Li Si : Second Prime Minister Lao Ai : Queen Zhao’s lover Jing Ke, Qin Wuyang, and Gao Jianli : attempted assassins of Qin Shi Huang

How would you solve these questions that Qin Shi Huang faced • As the emperor of China it is essential that your dynasty lives on after your death. How would you ensure the imperial succession? • As the emperor of China, you must deal with opposition from within your Kingdom. What course of action would you take? • Barbarian tribes are at your gates, what do you do to save your kingdom? • As emperor of China you must delegate some responsibility to important ministers. How do you handle your subordinates?

• As emperor of China, you are responsible for minding the imperial treasury/money. What type of economic policy do you follow? • The emperor of China controls the cultural policy of his empire. How would you handle academics and artists in your realm? • As "Son of Heaven, " you have a great influence on the religious beliefs of your kingdom. Which course would you choose? • http: //dsc. discovery. com/convergence/firstempe ror/quiz. html

HERO : Movie: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=0 yy. Btd. VVj. LA&feature=related http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=fb. A 0 GCq 2 ni. A&feature=related http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=sr. Fh. XDZh. UZI • Hero is a 2002 film directed by Zhang Yimou. Starring Jet Li as the nameless hero, the film is based on the story of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin in 227 BC. • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=K 58_z 79 ITkk • http: //www. imdb. com/title/tt 0299977/sy nopsis

FILM: HERO • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=fb. A 0 GCq 2 ni. A

Chinese Films • Hua Mulan • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=g. TAETFTIo_I&feat ure=related • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=Qem 3 EKn. H 1 k. E&fe ature=related • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=f. OXl. U 5 o. Rg&feat ure=related • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=n. Zff. TT 1 gz 4 U&feat ure=related • Hero • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=fb. A 0 GCq 2 ni. A