The Qin Dynasty is the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BCE.
The Qin state derives its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi.
The strength of the Qin state is greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BCE, during the Warring States Period.
In the mid and late third century BCE, the Qin accomplish a series of swift conquests, first ending the powerless Zhou Dynasty, and eventually destroying the remaining six states of the major states to gain control over the whole of China, resulting in an unified China.During its reign over China, the Qin Dynasty achieves increased trade, improved agriculture, and military security.
This is due to the abolition of landowning lords, to whom peasants had formerly held allegiance.
The central government now has direct control of the masses, giving it access to a much larger workforce.
This allows for the construction of ambitious projects, such as a wall on the northern border, now known as the Great Wall of China.
The Qin Dynasty also introduces several reforms: currency, weights and measures are standardized, and a better system of writing is established.
An attempt to purge all traces of the old dynasties leads to the infamous burning of books and burying of scholars incident, which has been criticized greatly by subsequent scholars.
The Qin's military is also revolutionary in that it uses the most recently developed weaponry, transportation, and tactics, though the government is heavy-handed and bureaucratic.Despite its military strength, the Qin Dynasty does not last long.
When the first emperor dies in 210 BCE, his son is placed on the throne by two of the previous emperor's advisers, in an attempt to influence and control the administration of the entire dynasty through him.
The advisors squabble among themselves, however, which results in both their deaths and that of the second Qin emperor.
Popular revolt breaks out a few years later, and the weakened empire soon falls to a Chu lieutenant, who goes on to found the Han Dynasty.
Despite its rapid end, the Qin Dynasty influences future Chinese empires, particularly the Han, and the European name for China is thought to be derived from it.
