Qin Shi Huang: China's First Emperor

Have you ever wondered who built the Great Wall of China? One of the most important figures in Chinese history is Qin Shi Huang (pronounced Chin Shih Hwang-dee). He was the first emperor of a unified China, and he started the construction of the Great Wall!

Becoming Emperor

Qin Shi Huang was born in 259 BC. His real name was Ying Zheng. He became the king of the Qin state at the young age of 13. The Qin state was one of many kingdoms that were fighting for power in China. Ying Zheng was a very determined leader. He used his army to conquer all the other kingdoms. By 221 BC, he had united them all and declared himself Qin Shi Huang, which means "First Emperor of Qin."

Unifying China

Qin Shi Huang wanted to make sure that China was united and strong. He made many changes. He created a single system of writing so that everyone could understand each other. He also standardized weights and measures, which made trade easier. The emperor created new laws and rules that everyone had to follow. He divided the country into districts, and each district had its own governor. This helped him control the entire country.

The Great Wall

Qin Shi Huang is most famous for starting the Great Wall of China. Before him, different kingdoms had built walls to protect themselves. Qin Shi Huang ordered these walls to be connected and strengthened to create one giant wall. The Great Wall was meant to protect China from invaders from the north. It was an enormous project that took many years and involved many workers.

The Terracotta Army

Qin Shi Huang was very concerned about what would happen after he died. He ordered the creation of a huge army made of terracotta clay. This Terracotta Army was buried with him in his tomb. There were thousands of soldiers, horses, and chariots, all made of clay. Each soldier was unique. It was believed that the Terracotta Army would protect him in the afterlife.

Legacy

Qin Shi Huang died in 210 BC. While he could be a harsh ruler, he also brought many positive changes to China. He unified the country, standardized writing and measurements, and started the Great Wall. His legacy continues to shape China today. Despite his death so long ago, Qin Shi Huang remains one of the most important figures in Chinese history.