EALC 001 Study Guide - Final Guide: Qin Dynasty, Terracotta Army, Penal Labour
16 Jan 2019
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Was initially known as king zheng, but after qin conquered states of han, zhao, wei, Chu, yan, q -> took new title as first emperor. Emperor = huangdi, term he coined by combining two words for august and lord. Known to be cruel, arbitrary, impetuous, suspicious, superstitious megalomaniac. Wanted to amalgamate china into single state/ impose uniformity. Treason to maintain local forms of currency/ weights/ measures/ writing scripts. Country divided into 36 commanderies, government dispatched officials to each of these new units to control them by mass regulations/ reporting requirements/ penalties for inadequate performance. To prevent local leaders organising rebellions, private possession of arms were made illegal/ moved many prominent/wealthy families from conquered states to the capital. Wanted government to control knowledge, so education only provided by officials to train future officials. Ordered all writing other than useful manuals (agriculture, medicine, divination) were collected for burning, because li si told him that records of past could undermine emperor"s policies.
