First Emperor Dbq

After the Period of the Warring States and during the fourth and third centuries B.C.E., the Qin state of western China transformed its economic, political, and military development. With few obstacles holding them back, the Qin established a centralized, bureaucratic rule throughout their state. At the same time, they devoted their recently acquired wealth to the advancement of an organized military and the best iron weapons available1. Qin rulers attacked neighboring states and absorbed the new conquests into their bureaucracy until China was finally under the motion of a single state. In 221 B.C.E., Qin Shihuangdi declared himself the First Emperor, and like those who led the Qin before him, he ignored the noble blood and led a centralized

bureaucracy from his capital of Xianyang. Basking in greatness, The First Emperor enlisted millions of laborers from all regions of China to work on colossal public works projects, which increased productivity and proved great wealth, however they also led to the ultimate downfall of the Qin Dynasty.
Before his death in 210 B.C.E., Qin Shihuangdi drafted some seven hundred thousand laborers to build a lavish tomb as a final resting place and permanent monument for the First Emperor1.

Along with rare and expensive grave goods, sacrificial slaves, concubines, even some of the artisans who designed and built the tomb accompanied the emperor in burial. The magnificent, underground, bronze-lined palace was protected by traps and crossbows rigged to fire at any intruders. Buried in the same area of the tomb was an entire army of incredibly detailed life-size terracotta warriors to guard the emperor in death2. The clay warriors vary in different positions and rank, they also vary in the weapons they wield and amour they wear. The meticulous detail and attention paid to these terracotta figures, from their facial hair down to their nail beds2, are a symbol of unrelenting power. Only a person yielding armies of unquestionable respect could ensure that a project of this difficulty would be completed with the upmost attention. The First Emperor contrived millions of laborers from all parts of China to work on colossal public works projects, which increased productivity and promoted the integration of China’s various regions. However, this also generated immense ill will among the drafted laborers. Revolts began shortly after Qin Shihuangdi’s death, dissolving the dynasty into

chaos1.
Although the Qin dynasty only lasted fourteen years when it dissolved in 207 B.C.E., the impact it had on China was out of proportion to its short life1. Qin Shihuangdi’s grip was only strong enough to hold unified China during his lifetime, his reach could not transcend beyond the limitations of death. However, his terracotta army and the lavish tomb it is kept in are still a testament of Qin Shihuangdi’s reign of prosperity and power, over two thousand years later.