The first Qin Dynasty was founded by Ying Zheng, who is better known as Qin Shi Huang, in 221 BCE. He was a ruthless and ambitious ruler who conquered many smaller states to unify China under his rule. Qin Shi Huang was responsible for many great engineering projects, including the construction of the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Army. He was also a strong advocate for Legalism, a political philosophy that emphasizes strict laws and punishments as a means of controlling the population.
The Second Qin Dynasty
The second Qin Dynasty was established by Ziying, a grandson of Qin Shi Huang, in 206 BCE. He was the last ruler of the Qin Dynasty and was defeated by the rebel leader, Liu Bang. The second Qin Dynasty was short-lived and lasted only a few months before it was replaced by the Han Dynasty.
Reasons for the Division
There are several reasons why the Qin Dynasty is divided into two time periods. First, the first Qin Dynasty was founded by Qin Shi Huang, while the second Qin Dynasty was founded by Ziying. Second, the first Qin Dynasty was much more successful and ambitious than the second Qin Dynasty. Third, the first Qin Dynasty was associated with Legalism, while the second Qin Dynasty was not.
Legacy of the Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was a very important period in Chinese history. It saw the unification of China under one rule and the construction of many great engineering projects. The Qin Dynasty also laid the foundation for the Han Dynasty, which was one of the most prosperous and powerful dynasties in Chinese history.