Growth of the Chinese Empire Social Studies Chapter 12

Section 1 Shi Huangdi Unites China

Anticipatory Set In Chapter 11 we learned how China reacted to the Era of Warring States. Now we will learn how China was reunited under a single ruling group…

Standards H-SS – List the policies and achievements of the emperor Shi Huangdi in unifying northern China under the Qin dynasty

The Big Idea Qin armies united China and founded a new dynasty. Qin ruler Shi Huangdi expanded and unified China into one people under one government.

Key Terms Shi Huangdi (shee hwahng DEE) Chen Sheng (CHEHN shehng) Qin (Chin)

Input: Shi Huangdi Unites China During the Era of the Warring States, many leaders tried to unify China. But geography and opposition from rival warlords made it difficult to unite the country under one rule. Despite these challenges, one kingdom did finally succeed in uniting China. Its leader founded the ruling family known as the Qin Dynasty.

The Rise of Qin  Conflicts between warring states divided China for more than 200 years!  By the end of this several powerful kingdoms had emerged  Qin was the most powerful

The Qin Kingdom  Qin was a mountain kingdom in northwestern China  Qin rulers built a strong government  Were great warriors  Fought with swords and crossbows, skilled on horseback

The Qin Unite China  One by one the Qin brought down rival kingdoms  Ruler thought “king” was too small a title for the ruler of such a vast empire  Named himself “Shi Huangdi” – which means “first emperor”

The Rise of the Qin Read The Rise of the Qin on pages of your textbook

Qin Policies and Achievements  Shi Huangdi faced many challenges  Empire was divided into distinct regions  Customs and languages varied  Threat of barbarians and rebellion

The Great Wall  Began the largest public works project in history – The Great Wall of China  Wall’s purpose was to defend the empire from attack by nomads living on China’s northern borders

A Legalist Government  Shi Huangdi based his empire’s government on Legalist ideas  Introduced the concept of centralization (or a central governing system)  Organized China into 36 provinces  Each was divided into counties

A Legalist Government  To prevent rebellion, Shi Huangdi forced thousands of noble families to relocate to the capital city

Qin Policies and Achievements Read Qin Policies and Achievements on pages 327 – 329 of your textbook.

Harsh Laws  Emperor established a uniform legal code across his empire  Applied equally to nobles AND commoners

Uniform Standards  Emperor standardized many aspects of daily life  Single written language  Uniform coins  Standard length for axles on carriages (so roads would be uniform)

Thought Control  Tried to control Chinese thought by adopting a policy of censorship – or banning ideas he found dangerous or offensive  Burned all books that did not support his policies

The Fall of the Qin Dynasty  In 210 B.C., Emperor Shi Huangdi died  His dynasty collapsed three years later  Was undone by the harshness of its laws

The Fall of the Qin Dynasty  Rebellion was sparked by a soldier named Chen Sheng  Rebels joined together to overthrow the Qin Dynasty  Then began fighting amongst themselves, and China slide back into chaos…

Qin Policies and Achievements Read Qin Policies and Achievements on pages 330 – 332 of your textbook

Check for Understanding Which Dynasty unified China? What was its undoing?

Check for Understanding Which Dynasty unified China? The Qin Dynasty unified China. What was its undoing? The harsh Legalistic laws of the Qin Dynasty was its undoing.

Modeling/Guided/Independent Complete the Modeling, Guided Practice, and Independent Practice Sections of your Social Studies 12-1 Worksheet.