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Qin Dynasty Daily!

Burnt books and Dead Scholars?

213 B.C. Shaanx, Province

Emperor Qin is responsible for burning books and killing scholars. Qin thinks that Confucianism isn’t as effective as Legalism and he is threatened by it. So, he has decided to burn books on Confucianism and any book that's not about medicine, agriculture, or prophecy. Four hundred and sixty scholars have been killed in the process. He rewrote every book but instead of having the books about Confucianism they were about Legalism. The books were burned in piles on the street. And the scholars who wrote the books have been killed everywhere. They buried most of the people alive! This happened because Emperor Qin saw people reading and studying Confucianism instead of Legalism and Qin got mad because that gave him less control over his people.

In the dynasty before (the Warring States period) they studied Confucianism and there were scholars who lived through Confucianism and now are in a Legalist place. Most people prefer Confucianism over Legalism because it is a more organized and easier way to learn. However, Qin united China by conquering the dynasties before and standardizing life using Legalism so he believes it is the best way to run a country.

Some people believe that's what Qin is doing is the worst thing that could ever happen to China like Chang Li. Chang Li a Chinese citizen and a scholar states “ I am completely against burning books and killing people for believing in a different philosophy. I also feel Confucianism is a much better way of life that Legalism.”

Others would say what Qin is doing is the best thing that has happened to China like Chao Wang. Chao Wang a government official states “I think getting ride of books on Confucianism and starting fresh as a Legalist. Dynasty is the best change that Emperor Qin has ever made. Now people wont be able to secretly read and teach people about Confucianism.

Only times will tell witch decision was the right one. Every dynasty makes mistakes sometimes but in this case most of it was the right decision except for killing people for no good reason.

Editorial

Editorial Article

By: Paulina Papadopoulos

Emperor Qin burned every book on Confucianism because it was threatening his power. He also killed ever scholar who helped write books about Confucianism. Emperor Qin wants to make sure he has all the power he can get at any risk.

Qin states he is trying to get the dynasty to be a Legalist dynasty. He never said he would do this by getting rid of Confucianism. He also states that he doesn’t want people (scholars) teaching people other philosophies. He never said he would do this by killing scholars. After this, Qin had other scholars rewrite other books about Legalism. Qin also could have left the dynasty as a Confucianist dynasty.

People would disagree with this because if they didn’t change the philosophy, the dynasty would be the same as before. Also Emperor Qin did what they thought was wrong(getting rid of Confucianism) but in the end it turned out good for the most part. And if he didnt do what he did china would still be broken up.

What Emperor Qin was wrong because burning books and killing people so you can have more power isn’t what a good emperor would do. If Qin had another chance i feel he would make changes for the better and do things differently .

Map

The Warring States Period: The Qin Dynasty

The Qin dynasty was around from 221 B.C.E- 207 B.C.E. The Qin dynasty is bordered by The Great Wall in the north. It has too rivers that run across the dynasty. The Yellow River and the Yangtze River.The capital of the Qin dynasty is Xianyang.

The Warring dynasty was around from 475 B.C.E.- 221 B.C.E. There are multiple dynasties in the Warring Dynasty. The Warring Dynasty is more than six times larger than the Qin dynasty. The Qin Dynasty shrunk because Qin conquered one of the many places the the Warring Dynasty and Qin could only control so mich without something falling out of place . These Dynasty's compare to modern China because today China is one big country instead of small dynasties.

Bibliography

Works Cited

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Donn. “Qin Dynasty .” Qin dynasty, great wall, and book burnning. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://china.mrdonn.org/‌qin.html>.

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Interview

Interview with Li Si

Question: What was your childhood like?

Answer: I was born in Sheingcai in the late Warring States Period. During my earlier years i served as a country official of the chu state. Later on i learned politics from Xunzi and after i learned i went on to learning about Qin states.

Question: Did you know Emperor Qin?

Answer: Yes i did, I feel i was also an important role in the kings “unification of the six states”. I convinced the king to wipe out the vassals and make himself the emperor. The king also took my advise and sent his counselors to convince the six states in Guandong. I also Successfully got Qin to accept foreigner as a government official.

Question: Are you glad you didnt have to work on the Great wall?

Answer: Yes but i did organize it. If i had to work on the wall i might not be here right now. MANY people died while building the great wall. This destroyed many familys in many ways. Other than that i think that the great wall is a great idea and great way to keep people out and in China.

Question: How do you feel about “social status”?

Answer: I think your social status means everything. Your social status is your personality without it you are nothing! Your social status depends on where you grow up and how you were raised. That is why i moved to a more popular city and did my work there.

Question: What was it like being one of the first foreign officials?

Answer: I feel like because you are foreign should change the fact that you are able to learn and teach or lead a group of people.

Inventions

Inventions

The Great Wall was invented in China during the Qin dynasty. Qin invented this so he could keep people from coming in to China. He also made it so he could keep people in China. Qin called people from there every day life to come work on the wall. Many people die everyday while building the wall. They die because there are harsh conditions. Such as not enough food, not enough warmth, clothing and not enough sleep. It was developed in 221 B.C.E. It was used everyday by keeping predators out and keeping from bad weather conditions. The Great Wall has really changed people lifes because when men and boys were taken from there family’s to work on the wall it ruined family’s. Some might even say that it caused the downfall in there life. The great wall is still used everyday because it is there and that is all the purpose is.