Unification Of China

Hello, my name is Gen and today I will be telling you about the unification of China. It all started in 221 B.C., during the Qin Dynasty under the rule of Shi Huandgi. Shi Huangdi became king of the Qin when he was only a boy. Well advised by officials, Zheng, as he was then known, grew to become one of the most successful warrior-kings China has ever known. After many years of war, the Qin defeated their rivals and unified China. As first emperor, Shi Huangdi set about strengthening his rule and ordering his territory. In creating a central government, Shi Huangdi undermined the feudal structure of politics that had been predominant. Likewise, he took away the hereditary claims of the nobles—going so far as to exclude them from high offices, positions he filled with common people. He standardized weights and measures and writing, and he divided China into several administrative units to help him govern better. Making it illegal to own weapons, Shi Huangdi helped secure his reign from internal threats and punished infractions quickly and harshly. To deal with external enemies, Shi Huangdi improved the earthen fortifications of earlier rulers and began work on the Great Wall of China. He also built canals, roads, and a giant palace. Yes, Shi Huandgi did have very impressive achievements, but he was a extremely harsh and cruel leader. Even though he wasn't the most kind leader, he still had some of the greatest achievements in Chinese history.