The Unification of China of Qin Dynasty

这篇essay讲诉了，秦朝时期，第一个皇帝秦始皇统一中国，对于中国的发展以及贡献是巨大的，同时，秦朝残暴的治理也在一定程度上阻碍了文化的发展。它的失败也是后来的统治者治国的重要经验，如何根据不同情况主导国家。

  Qin Dynasty (221-206B.C.), first unified China by the Emperor Qin Shihuang，which exerted on China unprecedented influence. As the first unified dynasty, Qin Dynasty shaped China in many aspects.
  In politics, Qin Dynasty built the first centralized government with systematical administrative structure, which served as a model for the government through all China’s feudal period until Qing Dynasty. “His vast empire was divided into commanderies and prefectures administered jointly by civil and military officials under the direction of a huge central bureaucracy.”  The centralized administration of the country guaranteed the power of the central government, which prevented the chaos of previous Warring States.
Besides the unification of territory, Qin Dynasty also facilitated the infusion of all the peoples, which was the first move in harmonizing Chinese different peoples in Chinese history.
Qin Dynasty also made great breakthrough in economy. Qin Shihuang standardized weights and measures and currency by stipulating the round coin with square hole (Ban Liang Coin). The standardization made the exchange of commodities much easier, which greatly enhanced business communication.
  In social management, Qin Dynasty held Legalism in esteem. To consolidate his power, the Emperor governed the country by the doctrine of Legalism, which was for the power of force and fierce punishment. Under Qin’s regime, common people were severely exploited in terms of labor and tax. The cruel ruling of Qin Dynasty by complying with Legalism was also the most important cause for Qin’s fall. Legalism helped Qin Shihuang defeat the other states and eventually unite China but led to the failure of the administration in that enemies can be defeated by brutal fights but people can only be won by proper governance. China’s most famous historian, Si Maqian said in his book Shih Chi that “rulers can only keep their power over the country by adapting their way of ruling with the change of times.” 
  In culture, Qin Dynasty first standardized the written character, making the Qinzhuan the standard font. However, Qin Dynasty didn’t make Chinese culture develop as it did in politics or economy. China experienced the first holocaust in culture. The Emperor Qin Shihuang was very suspicious and demanded absolute submission. He launched the horrendous event “Burning of Books and Burial of Scholars”, which destroyed nearly all the precious books at that time and killed four hundred and sixty Confucius scholars. Because of Qin Dynasty’s preference over Legalism, the Emperor suspected that many scholars would jeopardize his power by citing Confucianism doctrines. 
Though Qin Dynasty lasted for only fifteen years, the role it plays in shaping China’s territory and feudal system was irreplaceable. The contribution in politics, economy as well as other famous ancient legacy such as the Great Wall of China and Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses had left China great treasure. Nevertheless, Qin Dynasty’s tyrannical governance hindered the development of culture to some extent. The failure of governing the country also taught the later rulers important lessons on how to dominate the country according to different situations.
                       Notes
1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Qin Dynasty”,
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/qind/hd_qind.htm
2. Si Maqian, Shih Chi, http://www.guoxue.com/book/shiji/0006.htm
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