Although he brought glory to ancient China, Shi Huangdi was a cruel leader who used his power mold Chinese culture and society to meet his desires. Shi Huangdi enforced strict laws and commands and made unnecessary punishments and restrictions. “He outlawed all local customs, festivals, and folksongs as well as local religious practices,” (Graham, 337). Huangdi acted as a tyrant in numerous ways who practiced autocracy; imposing harsh laws, severe punishments, and heavy levies upon his people. Moreover, Shi Huangdi forced many people into his pitiless, massive labour conscription, where they eventually died meeting the demands of the emperor. “Marauding barbarians often harassed the workers, and the number that were killed or died of exhaustion,
