11/18/2019 Big Idea Shi Huangdi unifies China. Essential Question How did Shi Huangdi rule China? 1 11/18/2019 Essential Question How did Shi Huangdi use Legalism to stay in power? Words To Know Centralized power – power or rule in one person’s hands, such as a king, dictator or emperor. Reform – to change something. Legalism – a Chinese philosophy or strict system of laws designed to keep order. Under Legalism, people obeyed their rulers out of fear, not out of respect. Unify – to join or bring together. 2 11/18/2019 Let’s Set The Stage… From his base in western China, the powerful ruler of the state of Qin rose to control all of China. An ancient Chinese historian described how Zheng crushed all his rivals: “Cracking his long whip, he drove the universe before him, swallowing up all of his enemies.” In 221 B.C., Zheng proclaimed himself Shi Huangdi , or “First Emperor.” Although his methods were brutal, he brought in China’s classical age, a term historians use when a civilization makes contributions in government, philosophy, religion, science and the arts that serve as a framework for later cultures. At the time Zheng (Shi Huangdi) was born, China was divided up into 7 major states. These states fought each other all the time. Historians call this time in Chinese history the Warring States period. 3 11/18/2019 After Zheng (Shi Huangdi) unified China, he centralized his power. Shi Huangdi established harsh (strict) rule in China, called Legalism. Legalism Followers of Legalism believed that “people were bad.” That's why it is necessary to control every minute of their life. Otherwise, they'll do bad things, which could hurt others. The only way to achieve order was to pass strict laws and impose harsh punishments for crimes. 4 11/18/2019 To Legalists, strength, not goodness, was a ruler’s greatest virtue (characteristic). Shi Huangdi moved harshly against his critics (people against him). He tortured, killed or enslaved many who opposed his rule. Shi Huangdi outlawed most forms of religion requiring people to be loyal only to the government. • He ordered that most of the existing books be burned. 5 11/18/2019 Shi Huangdi wanted history to begin with his rule and the Qin dynasty. Students who did not bring their books to be burned were killed. Shi Huangdi helped to unify China by establishing a common currency (money) and standard units of measure. With everyone using the same money and measurements, the economy ran muchReforms smoother. for Unity 6 11/18/2019 Another important reform was a standard (one) way of writing. There were many ways of writing in China at the time. Under Shi Huangdi , everyone was required to teach and use the same type of writing. Shi Huangdi made a number of improvements in China. He had a vast (large) network of roads and canals built throughout the country. This helped to improve trade and travel. 7 11/18/2019 Shi Huangdi’s most remarkable achievement was the Great Wall of China. Hundreds of thousands of laborers worked for years through bitter cold and burning heat and pounded earth and stone into a mountainous wall almost 25 feet high. Many workers died in the harsh conditions. 8 11/18/2019 While the wall did not keep invaders out of China, it did demonstrate the emperor's’ ability to bring the people of China together to accomplish a great achievement. The Great Wall became an important symbol to the Chinese people, dividing and protecting their country. 9 11/18/2019 Shi Huangdi was obsessed with trying to live forever. He had his best scientists work on finding an elixir (medicine) of immortality that would enable him to never die. Today, Qin Shi Huang may be most famous for his tomb. He had over 700,000 workers constructing his tomb throughout his life. 10 11/18/2019 Workers built a terracotta (clay) army of 8,000 soldiers, horses and chariots that he thought would protect him in the afterlife. Terracotta Army 11 11/18/2019 When Shi Huangdi died in 210 B.C., anger over heavy taxes, forced labor and cruel policies exploded into revolts. • Qin power officially collapsed in 206 B.C. and the new • Han dynasty was founded four years later. Essential Question Answered What were the beliefs of Shi Huangdi? Shi Huangdi unified China during the Warring States period. He centralized power and established harsh (strict) rule in China, called Legalism. Strict laws were passed and harsh punishments for crimes were given. 12 11/18/2019 Essential Question Answered What were the beliefs of Shi Huangdi? Shi Huangdi tortured or killed anyone who opposed his rule. Strict laws were passed and harsh punishments for crimes were given. Books were burned and practicing most religions was not allowed. Essential Question Answered What were the beliefs of Shi Huangdi? Shi Huangdi established a common currency (money), a way to write and standard units of measure. He built roads, canals and the Great Wall of China. Shi Huangdi also built a terracotta (clay) army of 8,000 soldiers, horses and chariots that he thought would protect him in the afterlife. 13.