The rule of Shi Huangdi

Unification of China during the Qin Dynasty. The young Shi Huangdi (13 years old) unified China through the

brutal ideas of Legalism

Shi Huangdi was the first emperor of the Qin dynasty.

Shi Huangdi invaded each city state, took their weapons, placed one of his officers in charge, then

took the nobles back to the capital.

Not satisfied with the title of King, Shi Huangdi made himself the first Chinese Emperor. As well, he created the

Chinese Empire

Shi Huangdi ruled through fear, intimidation, and conquest. Any person who opposed him was executed along with their family. He

also opposed Confucianism and ordered all books on it burned.

Shi Huangdi used peasants to build many public works such as roads. He built over 4000 miles of roads which connected all of the Chinese

city-states to the capital city.

He also had the peasant build a wall to keep out the Mongol invaders. It took 7 years, and over 500,000 people died in its construction, but it

has lasted more than 2600 years.

The Great Wall is over 1500 miles long. (That would stretch ½ way across America). It is 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide at the top and 40

feet wide at the base. It is made from brick and stone.

The bodies of some of the 500,000 dead workers are buried within the wall. It is sometimes called the Wall of Sorrow,

Shi Huangdi standardized many things in China in order to make life easier for many people. Coins, weights, measurements, and writing

were standardized or made alike.

Chinese coin made standard by Shi Huangdi. Notice the hole which allowed coins to be collected on a string.

When he was buried, he had over 6000 clay soldiers and 1400 clay chariots made to guard him in the afterlife. All are different and based

on his real soldiers.