Unit-4 History and Culture Qin Dynasty_
Read the following text about the contribution of the Qin Dynasty in Chinese
history and culture.
The Qin Dynasty has a short duration (221-206
BCE), but very important in Chinese history. It
followed the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE)
and it ended when Liu Bang became the king
of Han in 206 BCE (the formal beginning of
the Han Dynasty). Despite its brevity, the Qin
Dynasty left important marks on Chinese culture.
In fact, the name "China" is derived from the
name Qin (“Ch’in” in former Romanisation
systems). Following the Zhou Dynasty, China
became involved in a seemingly endless conflict
between the various regions for supreme control of the country. This period of conflict
has come to be known as The Warring States Period (426-221 BCE). A series of
victories by the state of Qin towards the end of the Warring States Period resulted in
their complete conquest of China in 221 BCE when the Qin Empire unified China for
the first time in its history.
Origins of the Qin Kingdom
During the Zhou Dynasty, China was never a unified kingdom. The Zhou government bore
a strong resemblance to some of the forms of feudalism in medieval Europe, which is
why the Zhou age is sometimes referred to as a feudal age. China was composed of a
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network of city-states loyal to the Zhou king, from which military and political control
spread over the surrounding farming villages.
About 771 BCE, a barbarian invasion drove the Zhou rulers eastwards. During this
time, the state of Qin became responsible for guarding the western frontier and they
gradually moved eastward and eventually occupied the original Zhou domains. Thus,
the Qin became a close ally of the Zhou and they also had marriage relations with the
Zhou ruling class. King Ping of Zhou (770-720 BCE) transferred titles of the nobility
and huge estates to the chief of Qin. Many Chinese historians consider this event as
pivotal for the state of Qin. The Qin was, at that time, very aware of the fact that they
could be a great power. The elevation to nobility of the Qin meant that the Qin could
become more ambitious and better fend off attacks from surrounding regions. As a
consequence, these centuries spent fighting non-Chinese tribes helped the Qin gain
invaluable experience in warfare and territorial expansion.
Of the many Chinese states, the Qin had the advantage of a favourable location: Its
territory in modern Shaanxi Province is well guarded from the east by mountains and
gorges and has easy access to the North China plain through the Yellow River passes.
No major battle ever took place in the Qin’s heartland.
During the Warring States period, all the states in China were trying to draw more
power and prestige to themselves. The states of Qin and Chu
were the strongest which was due, in part, to the locations
of these two states being able to command vast resources.
They were also able to expand their borders without fear
of immediate conflict, unlike the other states, and so could
obtain still further resources. This benefit, and others such as
the size of the Qin army and their expert use of the chariot,
contributed to their success in warfare. The Qin had all of
the resources and advantages but what finally gave them
victory over the other states was their ruthlessness in battle.
The Qin statesman Shang Yang (356-338 BCE) advocated
total war and a disregard for the polite policies of battle which the Chinese Generals
had always adhered to. His lessons were implemented by Ying Zheng, King of the Qin,
who emerged victorious from the Warring States Period and proclaimed himself Shi
Huangdi - `first emperor' - of China in 221 BCE. About 230 BCE, when the final
campaign to unify China began, it is estimated that the Qin controlled one-third of all
the land under cultivation in China and one-third of China’s total population.
Qi Shi Huangdi
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Achievements in the Qin Dynasty
Early in the Qin Empire, the practice of Legalism reached its peak in Chinese history. This
idea of state policy was devised by Shang Yang who came to Qin as a foreign advisor.
Qin was lacking, early on, in skilled intellectuals
and politicians and, therefore, had to look beyond
its borders for talented people. Shang Yang was
one of those foreign talented persons and he would
have a lasting influence on the Qin Empire. During
his time as a minister, Shang Yang radically
renovated the policies of government but, in fact,
he simply revived a practice which was already
present for years: a form of government with a
focus on greater efficiency and less adherence
to tradition in which strict adherence to the letter of the law was made paramount.
Emperor Shi Huangdi approved of Shang Yang's policies and implemented them
across his realm.
This form of government consisted of a collectivisation programme and the decimation
of aristocratic power. Farmers were freed from serfdom and Shi Huangdi reduced the
power of the aristocracy. The people throughout the empire were now supposed to
bear collective responsibility for each other. If a person did not behave according to
the rules, then others were required to report to him. If they did not do this, they were
quartered or beheaded. Fear and control were the key features of this political system.
In addition, one's personal importance to the empire was also a key element. If you, as
a person, meant nothing to the state, you actually meant nothing objectively; your life
was meaningless. Those who contributed the most to the state were highly rewarded
while those whose lives were considered of no consequence were sent to work as
slaves on Shi Huangdi's building projects such as the Great Wall of China, the Grand
Canal, and the roads which increased ease of trade and travel.
Another result of the Legalism of Shi Huangdi was that scholarship was strongly
suppressed and literacy denied to the majority of the populace. Shi Huangdi believed
that uneducated people were easier to control and so the people should remain stupid
so that they would never think to doubt who was in charge of the empire. This policy
resulted in the burning of books on a large scale and, in 212 BCE, on the advice of his
chief advisor Li Siu, Shi Huangdi had scholars executed on a large scale. Books were
banned throughout the empire, as was teaching, except for subjects touching upon the
Grand Canal
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re-written history of the Qin Dynasty, Legalism, or the personal glory of Shi Huangdi.
It was not until the later Han Dynasty that books were recovered from hiding and
repaired, and literacy was again available to the people of China.
Although Shi Huangdi and Shang Yang's Legalism (as well as Li Siu's policies) were
hated by many at the time (and have been generally frowned upon by scholars of the
period), later the Qin kings and emperors of China were well aware of the strong
impact that Legalism had on the efficiency and strength of the state. Legalism helped
to create a superior army, a disciplined bureaucracy, an obedient populace, and the
unquestioned authority of a strong central government. This bureaucratic model
became the standard for the Chinese government and is still maintained in some form
today. Although Confucianism was preferred in later dynasties, Legalism continued
to exert a strong influence in China. It was often the case that the harsh Legalism was
glossed over with just a different name and, quite often, as `Confucianism'.
The End of the Qin Empire
In the year 210 BCE emperor Shi Huangdi died on a journey through the realm. The
people were told that these trips were designed for the inspection of the empire but
later evidence suggests that the emperor was looking for an elixir of immortality. In his
later years, Shi Huangdi became obsessed with death and the hope of eternal life. In
constant fear of assassination, it is said, he never slept in the same room of his palace two
nights consecutively and he ordered the construction of his elaborate tomb (including
his Terracotta Army of 8,000 warriors) early on in his reign. The cause of his death is
still unknown.
Li Siu (c. 280–208 BCE), the then prime minister of the recently deceased emperor,
tried to hide the fact that Shi Huangdi was deceased in any possible way. He brought
the emperor's body back to the capital along with carts of dead fish to mask the smell
of the corpse. Along with Zhao Gao (died 208/207 BCE), Li Siu contrived to place
Hu Hai on the throne. Hu Hai was the weak second son of Shi Huangdi. Due to the
weakness of Hu Hai, the oppressed people of China grew bolder and soon began to
revolt.
Through a series of uprisings and rebel alliances, the Qin authority was overthrown in
the year 206 BCE in the capital of Xianyang. The Imperial House was massacred and
the Qin Dynasty was thus at an end. A complicated series of battles followed for the
honour of being the successor to the Qin Dynasty which resulted in the period known
as the Chu-Han Contention in which Xiang-Yu of the state of Chu fought Liu Bang
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of Han for supremacy. Liu Bang emerged victorious following Xiang-Yu's defeat at
the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE. Liu Bang (247 BCE- 195 BCE) was applauded as a
man of the people and, after his victory, founded the Han Dynasty.
Legacy of the Qin Dynasty
As mentioned previously, Legalism had a lasting
effect on the entirety of Chinese history. The Qin
Dynasty created the standard of bureaucratic
government and the Legalistic policies first
initiated by the Qin are still seen in China
today. In addition, the dynasty left a wonder of
ancient artwork: The Terracotta Army in Xi'an.
This tomb reflects the character of the Chinese
emperor and his unending desire to be immortal.
The Terracotta Army also exemplifies what Chinese society at that time was able to
produce once it had been formed as a state. The most famous legacy left by the Qin
is The Great Wall of China. Although the present structure does not date from the
Qin Dynasty, it was begun under Shi Huangdi, as was the Grand Canal, and the roads
which today link the cities of China and the countryside. The Qin did more than just
found a dynasty in China: they brought a continent together.
Gabriel Peralta
NOTES
Feudalism: a socio-political system that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages in
which people worked and fought for the nobles who gave them protection and the use
of land in return
Legalism: an ancient Chinese philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined
to do the wrong than the right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest. It
was developed by the philosopher Han Feizi (c. 280-233 BCE).
Confucianism: the system of ethics, education, and statesmanship taught by the
Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE) and his disciples, stressing love for
humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for the parents, and harmony in thought and
conduct
Terracotta Army
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Ways with words
A. Match the words with their meanings.
a. brevity -------------------- lasting only for a short time
b. conquest----------------------- victory over a place or people by use of military force
c. resemblance ---------------------the state of being alike
d. barbarian ------------------------a member of an uncivilised group of people or culture
e. ally -------------one state united to another by a treaty or a league for a military purpose
f. nobility -------------state of being noble in character, quality, or rank
g. ruthlessness ------------------character of having no pity or compassion
h. decimation ----------------the killing or destruction of a large number of a population
i. harsh ----------------------cruel
j. elixir--------------------------------- liquid that is believed to cure all ills
B. Answer these questions.
a. Why is the Zhou Age called a feudal age?
The Zhou Age is called a feudal age because the Zhou government bore a strong resemblance to some of the forms of feudalism in medieval Europe.
b. What is the location advantage of the Qin?
The territory of the Quin State in modern Shaanxi Province is well guarded from the east by mountains and gorges and has easy access to the North China plain through the Yellow River passes. No major battle ever took place in the Qin’s heartland.
c. What contributed to the success in the warfare as described in the text?
The location of the state, their size of the army, and their expert use of the chariot contributed to their success in warfare
d. Why did the Qin invite the foreign advisor, Shang Yang?
The Quin invited the foreign advisor, Shang Yang to suggest them the idea of state policy.
e. What were the key features of the Qin political system?
Fear and control were the key features the Qin political system.
f. How were the people treated during the Qin Period?
During the Quin Period, those who contributed the most to the state were highly rewarded while those whose live were considered of no consequence were sent to work as slaves on Shi Huangdi's building projects such as the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal, and the roads.
g. Why did Shi Huangdi stop educating ordinary people?
Shi Huangdi stopped educating ordinary people because he believed that uneducated people were easier to control and so the people should remain stupid.
h. What did the Qin achieve by the legalism in practice?
The Qin achieved the efficiency and strength of the state, a superior army, a disciplined bureaucracy, an obedient populace, and the unquestioned a uthority of a strong central government by the legalism in practice.
i. Why did Shi Huangdi never sleep in the same room for two consecutive
nights?
Shi Huangdi never slept in the same room for two consecutive nights because of constant fear of assassination.
j. What are the everlasting marks of the Qin Dynasty?
The everlasting marks of the Qin Dynasty:
- The standard of bureaucratic government and the Legalistic policies
- A wonder of ancient artwork: The Terracotta Army in Xi'an
- The Great Wall of China
- The Grand Canal, and the roads which today link the cities of China and the countryside
Critical thinking
a. The Great Wall and the Taj Mahal are the creation of the autocratic rulers. Present your view for or against this statement.
In an autocracy power remains in the hands of a single person. The autocratic political system has the feature of fear and control. Historically, the examples of autocracy have been represented by absolute monarchs and military dictators. The great advantage to autocracy is that when immediate and certain action is necessary, serious decisions are quickly made. Autocratic leaders usually make choices which rely on their ideas and judgments, and hardly accept any advice from followers.
The rulers are able to gather resources for whatever seems important and then, order their people to fulfill the vision. The autocrats have the some of the best armies of civilization. They are useful for keeping an eye on their people as well as invading neighbors. The autocrats don’t have to worry about anybody as they establish rules themselves and an unquestioned authority. Some of the great wondrous structures of civilization such as the Great Wall, the Taj Mahal, etc. have been the fancy of autocrats. In the name of being immortal, commemorating a victory in a battle, dedication to their loved ones, gaining popularity and employing unskilled and semi-skilled laborers along with talented artisans, the rulers created such wonders.
b. How do you describe the pros and cons of feudalism?
Feudalism is a social system prevailed in Europe during the Middle Ages in which people (vassals) were given land and protection by a nobleman (lord), and had to work and fight for him in return.
Feudal system had the provision of social and economic security to the lower class members of the society. The landlords could not deprive the vassals of their land and had to care for them during their disability. The system helped people to develop the qualities like loyalty, bravery, generosity, humility and courtesy. Associations between lords and vassals were based on high respect for truth and promised word. The vassals showed every possible courteousness to the lords and served them with loyalty and humility. In return, the lords revealed love and bigheartedness to the vassals.
Feudal lords established social and moral trends. They showed to the rest of the world how to wear clothes, how to eat, how to ask a lady for a dance and numerous other things.
Feudal laws possessed the power to bind the king. This greatly proved helpful to the middle classes in latter period in checking royal tyranny. Feudal system showed the way for the rise of states in modern times. As time passed some feudal lords managed to get upper hand of their rivals and extended their territories. Thus, the strong kingdoms were established.
It is argued that feudalism brought class divisions in the society. It divided the people into the class of the nobles and the vassals. It also created a division of the rich and poor. The poor led a subsistent life whereas the nobles and the rich led a life of leisure and idleness.
Feudal system made the conditions of the vassals very appalling. The vassals could hold lands what were given to them by the nobles. They were supposed to work for the nobles and remain their slaves.
In feudal system it became increasingly difficult for nations to be established. The nobles from one region continued to fight against nobles from other regions, therefore, no peaceful nations could be formed under such unsteady circumstances. The occurrence of constant fights among nobles created the atmosphere of lack of peace. Furthermore, the existence of such unstable situations made it difficult for the development of the society.
Europe could not be united as rivalry, suspicion and war were present. Feudal system seemed to have been a cause which didn’t let Europe to be united. With the absence of unity, no real sovereign states could be formed in Europe.
(Source: https://www.suryaxetri.com/2020/10/neb-grade-xi-compulsory-english-note-unit4-critical-thinking-part3.html)
Grammar (Past Tense)
B. Complete the texts below using the correct past forms of the verbs from the bracket.
c. I was looking for a job. I applied for a job last week. Fortunately, I got it and now I am a job holder.
C. Choose the correct words from the list and complete the sentences with the correct verb form.
[teach, write, see, get up, throw, cost]
a. Newton saw an apple falling from the tree.
b.
Ramesh Bikal wrote many popular storiesf. Why did you throw the cap away?
I went to see the film, but I did not enjoy it.
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