Around 200 B.C. in ancient China, when the Qin Dynasty ruled, strict laws took effect, resulting in severe consequences such as being executed if soldiers arrived late to their post, regardless of the reason. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang stood up for their freedom from the cruel laws of the Qin Dynasty. This made a difference in society by inspiring others to fight for their freedom and stand up for their beliefs.
During that time, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huangdi, had just died. Qin Shi Huangdi literally means “Qin’s First Emperor”. Before the Qin Dynasty, China was made up of 7 city-states that were independent from each other and didn’t have any central government, a key component of civilization. Qin Shi Huangdi unified …show more content…
People who believed in Legalism were convinced that human natures are bad, so if an emperor wanted to lead a country successfully, he needed to use strict laws and severe punishments to control its people. Qin Shi Huangdi did not trust anyone and refused to share power with anyone, even his family. He created strict laws and cruel punishments based on Legalism. The main reason he did this was because he had conquered the 6 states and it wasn’t a peaceful process. He was very worried that someone would revolt against him or overthrow him. In order to prevent this from happening and maintain control forever, Qin Shi Huangdi had to create harsh laws and terrible consequences (mostly involving the death penalty). He also had most of his family executed in fear of them soon becoming more powerful than him. When Qin Shi Huangdi died, he was buried with an entire army made from terracotta clay, including more than 8000 soldiers and 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses. This army was built to protect him in his afterlife. Qin Shi Huangdi’s heir and son, Qin Er Shi (meaning the second emperor of Qin Dynasty), claimed the throne when he died. He took after his father and continued harsh and cruel laws with horrifying
During that time, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huangdi, had just died. Qin Shi Huangdi literally means “Qin’s First Emperor”. Before the Qin Dynasty, China was made up of 7 city-states that were independent from each other and didn’t have any central government, a key component of civilization. Qin Shi Huangdi unified …show more content…
People who believed in Legalism were convinced that human natures are bad, so if an emperor wanted to lead a country successfully, he needed to use strict laws and severe punishments to control its people. Qin Shi Huangdi did not trust anyone and refused to share power with anyone, even his family. He created strict laws and cruel punishments based on Legalism. The main reason he did this was because he had conquered the 6 states and it wasn’t a peaceful process. He was very worried that someone would revolt against him or overthrow him. In order to prevent this from happening and maintain control forever, Qin Shi Huangdi had to create harsh laws and terrible consequences (mostly involving the death penalty). He also had most of his family executed in fear of them soon becoming more powerful than him. When Qin Shi Huangdi died, he was buried with an entire army made from terracotta clay, including more than 8000 soldiers and 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses. This army was built to protect him in his afterlife. Qin Shi Huangdi’s heir and son, Qin Er Shi (meaning the second emperor of Qin Dynasty), claimed the throne when he died. He took after his father and continued harsh and cruel laws with horrifying