Qin Shihuangdi

Qin Shihuangdi

Among one of the first dynasties the Qin dynasty would be the start to

revolutionize the world. The Qin dynasty was ruled by Qin Shihuangdi in the late 200's

BCE. In creating the first empire, Qin Shihuangdi divided the land into separate provinces

and districts, standardized laws and public works.

Qin created a bureaucracy in China by dividing the lands into thirty-six separate

provinces, "The first emperor divided the country into thirty-six commanderies..."

(Territorial, Political and Cultural Growth of China, 309). These provinces were further

divided into many separate districts which were governed by three Qin representatives: a

civil governor, a military governor and an imperial inspector. These three representatives

governed their districts and collected taxes for the emperor, "Thus tax collection and

conscription of men for the army and labor on government projects and all other important

functions were centralized" (Peijin). Creating a bureaucracy caused China to modify and

set ideas of laws.

Along with the implementation of the bureaucracy came much standardization.

The written language was standardized, as were the systems of weights, measurements

and currencies, "The individual systems of weights, measures and currency which had

existed in each of the Warring States were changed to conform to the Qin state standard"

(Peijin). Furthermore, an uniform set of laws were established throughout the empire.

Even such seemingly trivial things like the axle seize in carts were standardized, "... even

the axle length of carts was made uniform" (Peijin). Because with a standard size cart, the

emperor was able to build standard size roads.

Public works was a huge part of the Empire. Construction of the Great Wall

began during Qin's rule, although it didn't reach its full glory until the Ming dynasty, "The

Qin dynasty commanded a high level of technological skill and artistic talent, as attested by

the