169 replies to this topic

[asiaconqueror]

He conquered the 6 other states during the warring states period and unified China into the 1st empire.. that's his greatest influence on chinese history. Without him, there would be no China.

You really think that without Qinshihuang, there wouldn't be someone who will conquer and unify China? Well.. I disagree with that.. I'm of the belief that someone somehow or later will unify China.

[DaMo]

Why would you think that unification is so inevitable? <_<

[chinaking]

Why would you think that unification is so inevitable? <_<

Unification is inevitable, because during the warring states period, only Qin had the military capability to conquer all the various states and unify China. No other states had the power to challenge the Qin. Already, many states were weakened by the so many military campaigns of Qin against other states that by the time of Qinshihuang, time was just ripe for unification.

Let us just say an alternative history that if Qin didn't conquer these states, then China would be like Europe today with many countries..but history proved otherwise in China. I'm of the opinion that history patterns follow so what like Darwin's theory of evolution that "the strong survives, the weak died".. so ultimately, the weak will give in to the strong and this is what happen to China during Qinshihuang's time.

For one thing I have to mention is that Qinshihuang really gives China the concept of "unification". This was an important unique concept for China which differ from other civilization. By unifying the country as one, it gave China a common identity, a common language, and common boundary. If you want to put it this way, Qinshihuang is the father of 'unification'. He laid down so many policies on unification as well as imperialism that this was followed by many emperors in later dynasties. From then on, Chinese dynasties follow a pattern of unification-disunification and then unification etc.

[Shadowfax]

He unified the early language and writings. He invented the word "Huang Di" 皇帝, or emperor, from Three Huang Five Di 三黃五帝.

[thirdgumi]

The bureaucrat system of Qin was the standard system for later Chinese dynasties up till Qing dyansty.

[Tyler]

You say the first emperor of China but are you forgetting the Xia.

[thirdgumi]

You say the first emperor of China but are you forgetting the Xia.

Xia wasn't really an empire, it is more of a confederation losely organized rather than an empire with centralised power. Also, the rulers of Xia were called "King" not "Emperor". The title of Emperor as we know, that is "Huang Di" was a creation of Qin Shi Huang Di.

[General_Zhaoyun]

Qinshihuang was undoubtly one of the most influential figure in chinese history. I would lay down some of this contribution and influence:

1. Conquer and Unify China - it was a great military achievement in chinese history, because he used around 10 years to conquer 6 states.

2. The abolishment of fiefdom system and establishment of a centralised bureaucracy, where officials were appointed by him, and not by aristocracy inheritance. This system was followed for 2000 years in China.

3. Ruler's title changed from "King" to "Emperor" (or Huangdi). Qinshihuang was the 1st the use the name "Huangdi". After him, all rulers in China are called Emperor (Huangdi).

4. The enlargement of empires towards south and north. He asked General Meng tian to led a force to attack the XiongNu.

5. The construction of the Great Wall began - it was a marvelous feat in the history of mankind. It separated the civilized within from those barbarians outside.

6. Unification of written language, measurement system, size of roads, economics and trading...all of these consolidate the chinese nation, the people and its identity.

7. Thousands of roads were built across the empire for military purpose and to effect troops for mobilization purpose.

8. Construction of many wonders such as Terocotta army, the Palace of A Fang etc.

9. He gave China the concept of "unification". From then on, chinese history was based on unification and disuniifcation..in which historical figures follow that.

[Sephodwyrm]

The Chinese obsession (which I wouldn't say whether its bad or good) with unification, as according to General Zhaoyun, is largely derived from ShiHuang Di's conquest and unification of what is known as Tian Xia, all of that beneath the heavens. The current Chinese push for unification with Taiwan, holding onto Tibet and Xin Jiang can all be derived from this.

Shihuangdi also started military expansionism of China into territories that are not populated by the people of the Central Plains. He waged war against Xiong Nu, Bai Yue and conquered huge territories and pushing the Qin borders in both North and South directions. The Qin Empire would be regarded as the core of the Chinese lands in modern times.

[Borjigin Ayurbarwada]

Xia wasn't really an empire, it is more of a confederation losely organized rather than an empire with centralised power. Also, the rulers of Xia were called "King" not "Emperor". The title of Emperor as we know, that is "Huang Di" was a creation of Qin Shi Huang Di.

Notice that the title of emperor did exist before Qin Shi Huang, there was the title of Di and Huang both mean emperors. Qin Zhao Xian Wang has declared himself Di and so did Qi Wang, but Qin shi Huang created the title Huang Di which could have the meaning of double emperor by combining both Huang and Di.

[Yun]

While the term 'Di' 帝 did exist before the Qin, it did not originally mean 'emperor' until Qin Shihuang redefined it. The "Five Di" 五帝 of the semi-legendary period of Chinese history (see http://www.chinahist...wtopic=384&st=0 ) were considered Sage-Kings who governed a tribal confederation rather than a unitary state. The Xia, Shang and Zhou rulers who came after them generally used the title Wang 王 ("King") rather than Di.

The "Three Huang" 三皇 came even before the Five Di, and were god-like mythological culture heroes. There are a few versions of who they were:

1) Fuxi (Ox-tamer), Suiren (Flint-man) and Shennong (Divine Farmer)

2) Fuxi, Nuwa (Fuxi's wife) and Shennong

3) Tianhuang (the God of Heaven), Dihuang (the God of Earth) and Renhuang (the God of Mankind)

So when Qin Shihuang invented the combined title Huangdi, he was effectively asserting that he was both a God and a Sage-King.

See http://www.chinahist...p?showtopic=149 for more info on these culture heroes.

[Liang Jieming]

The Chinese obsession (which I wouldn't say whether its bad or good) with unification, as according to General Zhaoyun, is largely derived from ShiHuang Di's conquest and unification of what is known as Tian Xia, all of that beneath the heavens. The current Chinese push for unification with Taiwan, holding onto Tibet and Xin Jiang can all be derived from this.

Shihuangdi also started military expansionism of China into territories that are not populated by the people of the Central Plains. He waged war against Xiong Nu, Bai Yue and conquered huge territories and pushing the Qin borders in both North and South directions. The Qin Empire would be regarded as the core of the Chinese lands in modern times.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree. His biggest legacy is the concept of unification. Before he first showed that it was possible, the Chinese never saw themselves as one. We were men of Song, men of Chu, men of Lu etc. After he showed that unification is possible and the power of a unified country was better than the individual component states, the concept stuck and everyone until today still think of a unified china. Even during the age of fragmentation, poets and scholars wrote about the time when China would be once again.

Just look at Europe. This concept never took hold. Europe didn't have their Qin Shihuang and so nobody in Europe knows for sure whether a united Europe is workable. They remain relatively small competing states. The new EU is slowing overturning this but the set arguments against EU coming from UK especially show the distrust of any benefit from a united Europe.

Jieming

[Zuo Zongtang]

Well, his rule wasn't entirely beneficial. Many anti-Qin books were burned. Harsh laws were enacted. Anyone who disobeyed were killed. When Liu Bang led Han to victory, he would lift most of the laws on the populace. This act of kindness won him the support of the empire.