The First Emperor

Qin (pronounced chin) Shi Huang became emperor at age 13 and died at age 49. He was king before he was the first emperor He unified China's politically warring states in 221 BC . Clearly an organizational genius, Qin Shi Huang was responsible for 2 great wonders of the world: the Great Wall and the necropolis of terra-cotta figures. In addition, he unified China's system of weights and measures, and common monetary and calligraphy systems. He also developed a legal system.

Despite these accomplishments, Qin was viewed as a tryant and continues to be hated by the Chinese. No doubt his many conquests and building projects diverted the people from agriculture and caused famines. Another possible explanation for his lack of respect to the people is that the ideas inherit in his legal sysytem contradicated later Confucian ideas about the law. It is thought that the word China comes from the word Qin. Qin was the name of his dynsty. Shi means first, Huang means Emperor.

Qin Shi Huang was killed on a trip, probably because of heat stroke at the age of 49. The Qin Dynasty collasped at the year of 207 B.C. shortly after Qin Shi Huang died.

Home | The First Emperor | The Great Wall of China | The Ming Dynasty |
The Handover of Hong Kong
| Bibliography | Thinkquest | Quiz | Contact Us |