Slate, Jr.Humanities 201HOW THE TRADITIONS OF QIN AND HAN CHINA INFLUENCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF EAST ASIAN CULTURE The Qin dynasty created the first unified Chinese empire. They did this by utilizing a legalistic approach to government. The Qin believed that the nature of mankind is inherently evil and only through a strict code of laws with severe punishment could the government achieve reliability and stability. Because the emperor feared the people and the inherent rights and privileges established with the teachings of Confucus, he ordered all books on Confucianism burned and beheaded everyone opposed to the government including their families. All weapons owned by private citizens were confiscated; the metal from these weapons were used to cast the gigantic metal statutes and bells that adorned the imperial palace. The severe punishment for committing minor offenses, distrust and oppression of the people contributed to the ultimate down fall of the dynasty. Executing an individual for being late to a military formation is an example of the unfairness of the governmental control of the Qin. During this time many roads were built linking the empire with coastal regions. This included construction of a complex system of locks that connected two rivers separated by the high southern mountains. Another group of several hundred thousand constructed Shihuangdi's tomb containing precious stones and carvings. All the workers were either executed or buried inside the tomb when it was finished to keep them from revealing the secrets of the tomb. Economy was encouraged and successful businessmen were honored with a position on the imperial court. Wealthy families were ordered to move to the capital so that the imperial court could keep them under control. Many peasants achieved great success as businessmen and merchants. The standardization of currency and writing, construction of highways, and regulated axle-widths and measur...
