Lesson 3: The Qin Dynasty (Ancient China)
🏯 The Qin Emperor’s Strong Government
After years of fighting during the Warring States Period, a powerful leader took control. His name was Shi Huangdi (Shee Hwahng-dee), and he started the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE).
👑 Shi Huangdi – China’s First Emperor
Shi Huangdi was not just a king—he called himself “First Emperor.” He wanted one strong China, not many small kingdoms.
To keep control, he used Legalism. He made strict rules and gave harsh punishments to anyone who broke them.
Story Time!
One time, Shi Huangdi heard that some people were arguing with his laws. What did he do? He ordered books to be burned—except books about farming, medicine, and Legalism. 📚🔥
He also forced people who disagreed with him to work or die. That’s how serious he was about control.
🧱 A Unified China
Before the Qin, China was many small kingdoms with different money, writing, and laws. Shi Huangdi wanted to bring it all together.
📜 Qin Policies
Shi Huangdi made one law system for all of China. He also:
Unified writing 📝 – everyone used the same Chinese characters
Unified money 💰 – everyone used the same coins
Built roads and canals 🛣️ – to move people, armies, and goods faster
Set the same weights and measurements ⚖️ – so trade was fair
Fun Fact!
Shi Huangdi’s roads were so straight that people said, “If you drop a ball, it will roll all the way to the capital!”
🧱 Qin Achievements
The most famous project of the Qin was the start of the Great Wall of China. 🧱🐉
Shi Huangdi connected old walls and forced hundreds of thousands of workers to build the wall to stop enemies from the north.
Story Time!
The wall was dangerous to build. Many workers died from cold, hunger, and hard work. People called it “The Longest Graveyard.”
He also built an underground tomb for himself—with over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers to protect him in the afterlife. These are the Terracotta Warriors, and you can still see them today! 🗿⚔️
⚔️ The Fall of the Qin
Shi Huangdi died in 210 BCE, and people were tired of his harsh rule. His son tried to rule, but many people rebelled.
In just a few years, the Qin Dynasty collapsed.
Why did it fall?
People were angry about high taxes and forced labor.
Farmers and nobles both wanted more freedom.
Shi Huangdi ruled by fear, but fear doesn’t last forever.
🌟 Summary
The Qin Dynasty was short, but very important.
Shi Huangdi made one strong government.
He used Legalism and strict rules.
He unified China’s writing, money, and laws.
He began building the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army.
But his harsh rule made people angry, and the Qin fell quickly.
The next great dynasty, the Han, would learn from both his success and his mistakes. 🐉📜