Emperor Shi Huangdi
- This man's name was Zheng.
- In 221 B.C. he proclaimed himself "Shi Huangdi" also "First Emperor" of China.
- In an effort to unite China, Emperor Shi Huangdi abolished feudalism.
- feudalism- loosely organized system of government in which local lords governed their own lands but owed military service and other support to a greater lord
- He replaced feudal states with 36 military districts and assigned loyal officials to manage them.
- He also sent inspectors to spy on the officials.
- Noble families were forced to live in his capital city, Xianyang, where he would monitor.
- When the noble families moved, the Emperor distributed their land to the peasants.
- He standardized the weights and measurements and replace the different types of coins from the Zhou states with Qin coins.
- He had scholars create uniformity in Chinese writing.
- To strengthen the transportation system, roads and canals were repaired and extended.
- Shi Huangdi strongly disliked critics. Anyone who opposed his rule would have been thrown in jail, tortured, or killed.
- The most remarkable achievement of Emperor Shi Huangdi was the Great Wall of China.
- After his death in 210 B.C. his empire collapsed.