Birth of Imperial China

Why an empire in China?

What “tools of empire” have appeared in China by the late Warring States (481-221 BCE)?

Why Qin?

Prime location

“Cradle of Dynasties"

Zhou Homeland

Good human resources

*Shang Yang (Lord Yang) from Wei

Chief Minister, 356-338 BCE

Shang Yang's administrative reforms

Feudalism abolished

17 merit-based official ranks

Centralized state

31 counties with magistrates

Invented in 7th c. BCE (Li Feng, p. 168)

Land tenure

Division of land into equal blocks
Adult males registered with government

Legalist law system

Group responsibility

5 or 10 households

Early Qin Expansion

Wei’s western territory, 362 BE

Shu and Ba (Sichuan), 316 BCE

1/3 of agricultural land

Zhou, 256 BCE

Significance?

The First Emperor of China

259-210 BCE

r. 246-221 BCE

r. 221-210 BCE

Warped psychology?

Soap opera childhood

Father Qin Zi Chu

Hostage in Zhao

Merchant Lü’s intrigues

Gives concubine to Zi Chu

Zi Chu designated as successor to Heir Apparent

King of Qin (r. 249-247)

Ying Zheng inherits throne, 246 (13 years old)

Lü Buwei, regent

Lao Ai

Ying Zheng grabs power

Lao Ai killed, 235 BCE

Lü Buwei deposed, 232 BCE

3 Assassination attempts

Elixir of immortality

Campaigns of Unification, 231-221 BCE (28-38 years old)

Han, 230 BCE

Zhao, 229-228 BCE

Yan 226, BCE

Wei, 225 BCE

Chu, 224 BCE

Qi, 221 BCE

Qin Standardization

Title of ruler

*Title of Huangdi 皇帝 (Emperor)

Replaces Wang 王 (King)

*Five Phases

Official ideology

Legalist administrative system

36 commanderies (later 42)

Administrator

Commandant

Oversight official

Written script

"Small seal” script

Bamboo strips

Click here for more information on writing and calligraphy

Weights, measures, currency (ban liang "half-ounce" coin), axle length

Thought

Burning of books, 213 BCE
Execution of scholars, 212 BCE