Qin Dynasty — The Epoch of Great Unification

Main Hall of Imperial Palace (Xianyang Palace) of Qin, based on Architectural Historian Yang Hongxun's Restored Model.

Qin Dynasty

What Is Qin Dynasty?

Qin Dynasty (221 BC — 207 BC) was the first centralized empire in the ancient history of China, which had a unified language, currency, and measurement, after having defeated the other six kingdoms of the Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC).

Founding emperor Qin Shi Huang who constructed Great Wall and Terracotta Army, was the first Emperor of China.

Qin's political system set a foundation for Chinese feudal empires in the next 2000 years and was the starting point of "Great Unity" in Chinese culture.

In 14 years of the Qin Empire, three emperors ruled the empire.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Certificate (Hu Fu) to Deploy Forces Garrisoned in Yangling — National Museum of China

Facts

Facts About the Qin Dynasty

The ancestors of Qin were believed to be descendants of the Yellow Emperor, who later were enfeoffed by kings of the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC — 256 BC) for their exceptional military contributions.

The State Qin became powerful and obtained advantages over other kingdoms after the Reform of Shang Yang (about 395 BC — 338 BC).

According to Shang Yang’s reform, commoners of Qin could get noble titles because of their military achievement, mainly based on how many heads of the enemies one had cut out.

Under the command of ambitious king Ying Zheng and brilliant General Wang Jian, the State Qin perished the other six kingdoms of the Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC) within ten years.

Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, Photo by Zhao Zhen.

Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor in the history of China; he never nominated a queen or a crown prince.

Qin Dynasty was the first unified empire with centralized power in Chinese history that applied the System of Prefectures and Counties instead of the previous System of Enfeoffment.

Measurement, currency, and language were unified in this era.

Unearthed Unified Scale Hammer of the Qin Dynasty

Unearthed Unified Scale Hammer of Qin — National Museum of China

The administrative policies of Qin suppressed the commerce industry; therefore, most merchants returned to being peasants.

Legalism was the dominant official ideology of Qin.

Unearthed Bamboo Slips Recording the Laws of the Qin Dynasty

Unearthed Bamboo Slips Recording the Laws of Qin — Hubei Museum

Many big projects were built in this era, including the Great Wall of China, the national road, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and the Terracotta Army.

The first large-scale peasant uprising in Chinese history happened in the late Qin.

Unearthed Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty

Unearthed Terracotta Warriors of Qin — Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

History

Brief History of the Rise and Fall of the Qin Dynasty

Conquests of Other Six States and Establishing of Qin

Qin Shi Huang, also respected as Qin Shihuangdi, one of the most extraordinary emperors in Chinese history, established the first unified feudal imperial regime Qin after the remarkable general Wang Jian and his son had conquested the other six kingdoms of the Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC).

Under Qin's governance, the measurement, currency, and language were unified, and standardized royal roads were constructed within the country.

Qin Shi Huang also commanded the construction of the Great Wall to defend the Xiongnu in the North and the Terracotta Warriors to guard his mausoleum underground.

Unearthed Bronze Chariot and Horses of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Bronze Chariot and Horses — Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Cruel Fights Over the Throne and Large-Scale Rebellions

After Qin Shi Huang passed away in the year 210 BC, his 18th son Huhai snatched the throne through conspiracy, assassinated all his other siblings, and became the second emperor of Qin.

The following year, because of heavy taxes, levies, harsh laws, and the next emperor's incapability, a big peasant rebellion happened, followed by rebel forces of nobles of the former six kingdoms.

The whole nation fell into chaotic wars again.

Unearthed Sword and Armor of Qin — Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

End of the Qin Empire

Those uprising armies together defeated the main force of the Qin Empire.

Soon, the second emperor of Qin was forced to suicide.

The third emperor of Qin, Ziying, wore to the throne for less than two months, then surrendered to King Liu Bang when his army was approaching and was assassinated by King Xiang Yu about a month later.

This was the official ending of the Qin Empire.

Then, those uprising armies kept fighting against each other until Liu Bang defeated other forces and established another unified empire, the Han Dynasty.

Unearthed Jade Goblet of the Qin Dynasty

Jade Goblet of Qin — National Museum of China (Photo by Dongmaiying)

System

Political Structure and Social Systems of the Qin Dynasty

Population:

Around 25 million to 30 million

Political System: Three Councillors and Nine Ministers System

The emperor had the supreme power; officials in charge of the military, administration, and supervision (Three Councillors) directly answered to the emperor.

The other nine departments (Nine Ministers) that managed finance, judiciary, ceremony, security, etc., were independent of each other and only listened to the emperor.

Independent vassal states were replaced by 48 counties under direct control by the central government by assigning, monitoring, and assessing governors of each county.

Three Councillors and Nine Ministers System of the Qin Dynasty

Official Selection System:

Emperor assignment, recommendation, and regular assessment.

Tax:

Specific amounts of farmland products; capitation tax; military or labor services.

Currency of the Qin Dynasty the "Qin Ban Liang"

Currency of Qin (Qin Ban Liang) —Shanghai Museum

Military Service:

Everyone in the kingdom was obliged to fight in their army and protect their family.

More rewards were given to soldiers with military achievements, such as noble titles, money, exemption from duty, etc.

Land System:

Private Ownership of Land, where civilians can own, cultivate, and sell their farmland while paying taxes to their country.

Eaves Tile of Qin — Shaanxi Academy of Archeology (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Achievements

Scientific Achievements and Artifacts of the Qin Dynasty

Construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (by Li Ping): As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dujiangyan is one of the most outstanding scientific irrigation systems in Chinese history, which is still in use today.

It changed Chengdu from a place that frequently suffered from massive floods and severe drought to a cultivable, productive, and fertile region.