The great Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty (221-206B.C) is bordered on the North by the Gobi desert and the plateau of Tibet borders it on the West. Today China’s border is much larger than the Qin Dynasty’s border. The hyphenated border is present day China. The capital of the Qin dynasty is Xianyang.The Great Wall covered the entire northern border of China and part of the western border. The Great wall built closer the city Xianyang to protect the city from the north. The Great Wall was used to protect China from the northern mongols. The Qin dynasty was located on the eastern part of present day China right next to the east China sea and the Yellow sea. The Qin dynasty consisted of 36 smaller provinces within China. This was done to keep China more in control. This kept China in control because 1 emperor that rules all of China which might cause rebellions. If this happened the emperor would not know about it. Creating bureaucracy allowed Qin to elected 2 government officials to run each province rather than let the province run itself. With not as much experience the province would fall. Government officials keep the province on track. Xianyang was the capital of China during the Qin dynasty. The present day Yangtze River ran through the south of China and at the north the present day Yellow River.

  

Iron tipped spears

Qin Dynasty Invention

Christian D’Amico

    The iron tipped spear was invented during the Qin dynasty. Iron tipped spears are plain wooden spears with a small fragment of iron on the tip of the spear. The iron spear could be used in two ways. It could be used as an arrow or as a javelin. It was developed by Emperor Qin because he saw that regular spears were breaking quit easily. If you place an iron tip on the spear it becomes more aerodynamic and more durable.   

It was developed in 246 B.C. by craftsman it was for Emperor Qin. When it was developed only certain people were able to obtain it. Nobles, government officials, and warriors could get the iron tipped spear. They were made quickly and they were sold in a market place.

The iron tipped spear has really changed people’s lives by making killing animals more efficiently, killing people more efficiently. The spear today is used not to kill but to show the development of weaponry in the world, and to teach people about the evolution of arms. 

Religion

Religion in the Qin dynasty

Christian D’Amico

        Confucianism and Legalism are two belief systems in the Qin dynasty. Legalism is a new philosophy  developed in the Qin dynasty. Legalists made very harsh laws that said if someone does something bad or dishonorable they would get a harsh punishment. Legalists believed that if people aren’t punished then they will keep doing wrong and make bad decisions. Under Emperor Qin’s rule if you did not obey the laws then you would be sent to construct the Great Wall and then be buried alive. Legalism made people obedient it gave them no choice but to follow the laws or be killed.




        Confucianism A system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius. It is based on 5 basic relationships: Ruler to subject, Father to son, Husband to wife, Older brother to younger brother, Friend to friend. "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others" Is a quote from the Analects of Confucianism. It means to not do something to someone if you would not do it to yourself. In daily life people would have to follow rules like that in order to be peaceful. Emperor Qin did not like Confucianism and banned it.

Interview with Yuan Lang

My Interview with Yuan Lang

March 13, 206 B.C

Christian D’Amico

Q. What were you thinking when Ying Zheng’s father died, who would take his throne?

          

A. I was devastated when his father had passed, but I was honored to see the throne of the Qin State be taken by his noble son. Everyone had asked him what his first decree was going to be. Ying had no answer but I believed he would do something amazing to all of China. His plans were to make 36 provinces and have two government officials watch over one province. It was a great plan; I was surprised that no other province tried to attack him. It would have been quite easy for them because Ying Zheng was such a young King.

Q. What are some of the flaws to the spy system?

           A. Well the spy system requires people to spy on each other at work and at home, everywhere. People who brought in law breakers got rewarded for doing such a good deed to society. People who bring in someone who aren’t actually breaking the law would be executed on the spot. I think lying is a flaw in the spy system because a person could use a false accusation accusing someone of breaking the law. Then that said person could be thrown in jail or executed.

Q. What are the rules of legalism?

           A. The rules for legalism: Legalist’s believe that people are bad. They believe that it is necessary to control and regulate every minute of people's lives so they have the discipline needed to work hard in life. Weather they are simple farmers or heroic warriors. Everyone had to follow orders given by an official. It is even illegal to show disrespect towards the government or say something bad about it. You could be executed or put in jail for a long time.

Q. Explain how bureaucracy sustains China and keeps it under control?

    A. Creating bureaucracy was a main part for unifying China. It keeps everything organized and controlled. I made 36 provinces and split those provinces into districts. I also assigned two government officials to each province and they choose the strongest people to be in charge of each district. This system allows people to make laws in each district and province, they self sustain.  I don’t have to watch out for all these little districts, my government officials in charge can report back to me if in trouble.  

Q. How much longer you think this dynasty will last?

    A. I believe that the Qin dynasty will last for another hundred years of prosperity. For all that I have done for my dynasty it will live on. Through bureaucracy and legalism the Qin dynasty will survive for a long time.   

A day with host family

A DAY WITH MY HOST FAMILY

Qin Dynasty

Christian D’Amico

          

As the morning sun grew brighter, I woke up to a wonderful smell of potatoes and vegetables. It was coming from the kitchen; my host mother was cooking up a storm. Before we ate we prayed to Buddha. After we sat down to eat, the food was very bland but for a peasant family it was a meal. In Xi’an the peasants were assigned a job and were prompted to do it correctly.

My host family were assigned silk maker, it was a rather unique job. It was another beautiful spring day on the field. We silk makers got our silk together and started to string it onto a spindle. My host mother was teaching me how to spin the silk without breaking it. It took me some time to learn but I did it.

It was almost midday and it was scorching out, I would do anything for a light breeze. It was now time to eat; I was having an average meal. It was rice, corn, and pork. At 2:45 we began working again making sweaters and rugs out of the silk. At 5:00 it was time to leave; my day of work was finished.

At the end of the day I went home to wash my clothes. I felt bad for my host family because they could only afford to wear raggedy clothes. Before eating we were to pray again to Buddha.

Religion was one thing peasants could depend on. It gives them hope and I have enjoyed praying with them. My host father usually leads the prayers; they are quite long but are interesting to listen to. The prayers are help in this sacred room. It is all white and had a painting of Buddha on the wall. They have in-scents lit and it smells of lavender and vanilla.

It was now time to eat, we had soybeans and pork. While visiting my host family I learned how to value the little things like bathing in warm water or even bathing at all. Living with a low class family gave me a new prospective on their hardworking life style.

Bibliography

Works Cited

about.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. <http://archaeology.about.com/‌od/‌qterms/‌g/‌qin.htm>. The Qin Dynasty [221-206 BC], while only fifteen years in duration and only including three emperors, was one of the most important and influential of periods in Chinese history. The first emperor Qin (Qin Shi Huangdi) united the “Warring Tribes,” creating the rudimentary elements of a united China. Other achievements of the Qin dynasty include strengthening the Great Wall, and standardizing currency and language. The army of terra cotta soldiers also dates to the Qin dynasty; they were found in the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi’s tomb. The harshness of the Qin regime led to its downfall the year after Shihuangdi’s death.

wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. Weapons such as swords, spears, battle-axe, scimitars, shields, crossbows and arrowheads were found at the pits of the terracotta warriors.[21][29] Some of these weapons such as the swords are still very sharp and found to be coated with chromium oxide. This layer of chromium oxide is 10–15 micrometre thick and has kept the swords rust-free and in pristine condition after 2,000 years.[30][31][32] Chromium only came to the attention of westerners in the 18th century.[33] Many swords contain an alloy of copper, tin and other elements including nickel, magnesium, and cobalt.[34] A Qin crossbow arrow is estimated to have a range of 800 metres.

wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. The Terracotta Army or the “Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses”, is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BC and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

The figures, dating from 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi province, near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Chinese: &#31206;&#22987;&#30343;&#38517;; pinyin: Qín Sh&#464;huáng Ling).

The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.[1] Other terracotta non-military figures were also found in other pits and they include officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians.

Slaves, Craftsman constructing Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum

Christian D’Amico
January 31, 236 B.C

Slaves, Craftsman constructing

Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum

King of the Qin state had died and the young Ying Zheng had taken power at age thirteen. Ying had feared for his life so he decided to build a secret underground mausoleum. Three hundred slaves were exiled from a small province near Mount Li. They were sent to construct a burial for Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. This burial is an example of the fine art and craftsmanship of the Qin Dynasty and all Chinese should be proud of such a tomb and they are honored to work on it.

The 300 slaves, craftsman were honored to be picked to construct Emperor Qin’s tomb. To be picked for such a noble duty is an honor for a slave and craftsman. These special men were chosen for their advanced art skills. They were to make the best work for Qin’s tomb; they made terracotta warriors to show a strong army. Craftsman brought advanced skills to help make clay horses to go with the warriors. This burial is a perfect remembrance for emperor Qin’s death, when it comes.

Some people believe that the craftsman and slaves are being over worked almost to the death. They are doing free labor for Emperor Qin and they deserve to be treated with respect. The slaves may not be treated with respect but they are rewarded daily with extra rations of food. The labor they do is hard but they use their skills to make the mausoleum come to life. Slaves in the Qin dynasty were made to do forced labor for government projects like the terracotta army and the Great Wall. There is no respect with slaves because they do not deserve it; they are slaves for a reason. The craftsmen are treated with respect because they are volunteers or hand picked.

Even though this burial is an architectural masterpiece for Emperor Qin, It shows the rewarding work from the slaves and craftsman. The Qin mausoleum is an example of the advanced art and craftsmanship in the Qin Dynasty. It is a remarkable sight and is great for Emperor Qin to be remembered by.

Slaves exiled for secret labor

Slaves exiled for secret labor
April 11, 236 B.C
By Deng Sha-Han
China Today

Xi’an—today three hundred slaves were exiled from a small province near Mount Li. They were sent to construct a burial for Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi.  236 B.C there were rumors of the site of his grave but no one actually knew where it was. Emperor Qin decided that he needed to be remembered in luxury so he got over seven hundred thousand men to build a burial for him.

Ten years ago, the King of the Qin state had died and the young Ying Zheng had taken power at age thirteen. Ying had feared for his life so he decided to build a secret underground mausoleum. Now as Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi; he ordered over three hundred slaves to be exiled from a small province near Mount Li. One slave had managed to escape from the clutches of Qin and his government officials. Kuan-Yin reported: “I know of this mausoleum that is being built for Qin that is why the slaves were exiled. No one knew where we were going. When we got there Qin told us to keep this a secret but I was scared for my life.”

According to the escaped slave Kuan-Yin, After many years of intense labor the slaves had almost finished building the mausoleum. Kuan-Yin had men on the inside that would feed him info through a messenger bird. They would tell Kuan that the terracotta soldiers were being constructed with horses. According to these men the Emperor was going to lock the slaves and the other thousands of men in the mausoleum to die.

There were two other men involved with the escaped slave. Jing-Yung was an architect working in the mausoleum;he helped disguise two slaves for an escape. Jing reported: “I had to help Kuan and his friend Ku-Lon because the officials were working them to death; I was fed up with this thirteen year old Emperor.” This man was a well-respected architect in China. The other slave that could not escape from the mausoleum is Ku-Lon through the letters that he sends to Kuan-Yin he reported: “There are many statues and everything is terracotta it is so beautiful but we slaves are getting beaten to work, it is so hard. You need to get me out before it is too late.”