Qin Dynasty

• Dates: 221-206 BCE
• Chinese/Japanese: 秦 (Qín / Shin)

The Qin Dynasty is counted as the first imperial dynasty to rule a united China. Though short-lived, lasting for only two generations of emperors, from 221 to 206 BCE, the Qin represents the beginnings of a great many customs and standards in Chinese Imperial history. Further, it is from the name "Qin" that the word "China" is derived.

Prior to the unification of China under the First Emperor of Qin, the State of Qin was one of a number of states which battled for territory and prominence in China's Warring States Period. After a lengthy series of battles and campaigns, the king of Qin defeated the last of his enemies in 221 BCE, abandoning the title "king" (王, wáng), and adopting for the first time the title huángdì (皇帝), today translated as "emperor." As a result, he has come to be known as Qin Shihuangdi, or "First Emperor of Qin."

The Qin capital was at Xianyang, on the opposite side of the Wei River from the later imperial capital of Chang'an. Founded during the Warring States period, Xianyang remained the capital after unification, and was expanded under Qin Shihuangdi.

The Qin Dynasty operated chiefly on the ideology of Legalism, in which people were rewarded for good behavior, and harsh punishments were meted out according to the rule of law, along with Taoism; Confucianism was harshly suppressed, and only became established as the standard political philosophy of Imperial China beginning in the Han Dynasty.

Emperors of the Qin Dynasty

• Qin Shihuangdi
• Qin Er Shi

Preceded by: Warring States Period

Warring States 221-206 BCE

Succeeded by: Han Dynasty

References

• Conrad Schirokauer, et al, A Brief History of Chinese and Japanese Civilizations, Fourth Edition, Cengage Learning (2012), 30-.