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Qin Empire Facts & Worksheets

The Qin Empire was the first Imperial dynasty ruled by the first Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. He reigned for only fifteen years (221 B.C to 206 B.C.).

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The Qin Empire was the first Imperial dynasty ruled by the first Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. He reigned for only fifteen years (221 B.C to 206 B.C.). This empire provided a lasting impact on the dynasties that followed and to Modern Day China. Historians claim that the name “China” originated from the word “Qin” (pronounced as “Ch’in”).

See the fact file below for more information on the Qin Empire or alternatively, you can download our 25-page Qin Empire worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CREATING THE QIN EMPIRE

  • During the Warring State period, China was composed of seven major states, Qin, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi. They were always at war with each other trying to gain dominance and bring power unto themselves.
  • Qin became the strongest due to its geographical advantage. It is protected by the vast mountains and had the benefit for easy access to the North China Plain through the Yellow River.
  • The King and his army, with the help of his Prime Minister, Li Si, gradually succeeded in conquering the other six neighboring states and declared himself as the First Emperor.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PRESENT DAY CHINA

  • Qin Dynasty contributions weathered through dynasties and can still be seen and used in Modern Day China.
  • Legalism
    • A philosophy of administration used in Qin kingdom during the war period. It exploits this philosophy on how natural selfishness can benefit the state. It is their most potent weapon to rise and stay in power.
    • Legalism remains a go-to philosophy in China’s history up into modern times.
    • Koller writes, “the long-term effect of the Legalist emphasis on laws and punishment was to strengthen Confucianism by making legal institutions a vehicle for Confucian morality” (208).
  • The Great Wall of China
    • During the Warring State Period, the state emperors constructed walls to protect their land from attacks.
    • The new emperor ordered his General, Meng Tian, to destroy the division, connect the walls, and extend it to make it as one Great Wall. Although little was left today, much of the original wall was constructed during this era.
    • Thousands of people died building it and their bodies were put in a mass grave beside the walls. This is why people dub it the “longest cemetery on earth.”
  • Unification of the States
    • After nine years of conquering the six states, Qin Shi Huangdi unified the seven states into one country.
    • He took all the power in politics, military, and economic affairs.
    • He strengthened the unification by standardizing its political and economic system as well as the writing system, currency, and unit of measurement.
    • Qin Shi Huangdi also used Legalism to strengthen the unification and to stay in power. He prevented people from thinking freely by burning books that contradicted his ideals and made people literate. He buried the scholars alive because they opposed his decisions.
  • Terracotta Army
    • Thousands of life-size armies in clay, each with unique facial and body features were structured to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife.
    • This luxurious emperor tomb was built by thousands of forced laborers.
    • His obsessive belief in immortality was supposed to be his reason to make a tomb that replicated his lavish lifestyle.
    • National Geographic dubs it as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.
  • Three Great Hydraulic Engineering Projects
    • The Lingqu Canal
    • Shi Lu, the chief designer, led 100,000 soldiers to create an efficient supply route for the army.
    • UNESCO World heritage said, “Today, it stands as an important cultural heritage and a multifunctional hydraulic project serving irrigation, flood control, water supply, and tourism.”
    • The Dujiangyan Irrigation System
    • Constructed to keep the fields well supplied with water and ensure against flooding.
    • It is a significant landmark in the development of water management and technology that is still discharging its functions perfectly.
    • Zhengguo Canal
      Built to sabotage the Qin Kingdom’s resources and prevent it attacking its neighbors. The plot backfired, instead it gave the kingdom abundant resources to increase the size of its army.
      It was used to cause the stagnant waters to flow and irrigate the salty land. The land surrounding this canal is extremely fertile to this day.

Qin Empire Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Qin Empire across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Qin Empire worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Qin Empire which was the first Imperial dynasty ruled by the first Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. He reigned for only fifteen years (221 B.C to 206 B.C.). This empire provided a lasting impact on the dynasties that followed and to Modern Day China. Historians claim that the name “China” originated from the word “Qin” (pronounced as “Ch’in”).

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Qin Empire Facts
  • The First Emperor
  • The Seven Warring State
  • Legalism at its Best
  • Bravo, Emperor Qin!
  • A Journey into the Qin Dynasty
  • Qin Empire’s Genesis
  • Qin’s Daily News
  • Persons of Interest
  • Qin’s Leadership Crest
  • Complete Me

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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