Qin dynasty

The Qin dynasty was the first dynasty to unite most of China under one central government. A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family. The Qin dynasty ruled from 221 BCE to 206 BCE. Although it lasted for a short time, it had a strong influence on Chinese history. The name "China" is believed to come from the word "Qin." The dynasty began when the state of Qin defeated other rival states at the end of a long period of wars.

Before the Qin dynasty, China was divided into many states during a time called the Warring States period. These states often fought each other. The state of Qin was located in the west and grew powerful through strict laws and a strong army. In 221 BCE, the Qin ruler Ying Zheng defeated the last rival state. He declared himself Qin Shi Huang, which means "First Emperor of Qin." This marked the beginning of imperial rule in China.

Qin Shi Huang ruled as an emperor, a ruler with complete authority. He ended the old system of feudal rule, in which land was controlled by local nobles. Instead, he divided the empire into regions governed by officials appointed by the central government. He also made many systems the same across the empire. These included standard weights, measures, coins, and writing. Standardization means making things uniform so they can be used the same way everywhere.

The Qin government followed a political idea called Legalism. Legalism taught that people needed strict laws and strong punishment to keep order. Under this system, laws were written clearly, and punishments were harsh. Many people were forced to work on large building projects. These projects included roads, canals, and parts of the Great Wall. The Great Wall was built to defend the empire from northern tribes. It connected older walls built by earlier states.

Qin Shi Huang also ordered the burning of many books. These books included historical and philosophical writings that did not support Legalism. He wanted to control ideas and prevent opposition. At the same time, he built a large underground tomb for himself. This tomb is famous for the Terracotta Army. The Terracotta Army is a group of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers buried near the tomb. They were meant to guard the emperor in the afterlife.

The Qin dynasty ended soon after the death of Qin Shi Huang in 210 BCE. His successors were unable to control the empire. Heavy taxes, forced labor, and strict laws led to rebellions. In 206 BCE, the dynasty collapsed, and a new dynasty, the Han dynasty, took power. Even though the Qin dynasty was short-lived, its systems of government and unification shaped later Chinese history.