Downfall of Ch'in Dynasty

2007 Words9 Pages
Question: Discuss the formation of Ch’in, the first unified Chinese Empire. Why did this mighty empire exist for only fourteen years from 221BC to 207BC? Introduction Throughout the world history, there were many empires that rise and fall. Some were able to hold their empire together for years but some were meant to last for a short period of time. This is the same for the different dynasties in ancient China. One empire could rise due to talented advisors while another could be due to the governance of the empire itself. However, the fall of an empire could even be the reasons for the rise of the empire itself. Thus, this could be happening to the Ch’in dynasty, the first unified Chinese empire. Ch’in advantages Ch’in had a geographically strategic location on the Wei River in northwest China[i]. It was easily defended from attacks by the other states as the passes that lead out to the Yellow River plain are being controlled[ii]. Although it was difficult to invade Ch’in, they were still in constant war with the nomads on the northern part of the state.[iii] In order to counter the attacks, Ch’in armies developed cavalries which were adopted from the nomads themselves. This, along with the experiences they gained from the consistence war with the nomads, made the army into a powerful but brutal one.[iv] On top of this, Ch’in had developed better weapons by having the “massed infantry armed with bronze or iron weapons and especially the crossbow”.[v] On top of the fearsomely strong army, Ch’in administrations also welcomed talented advisors from other states to work with them. These advisors mainly helped in the running of the administrations and implementing laws and policies within their own states. The laws and policy proof to be successful which allows the Ch’in state to begin expanding its power to the next door state. One talented advisor was
Open Document