Qin Shi Huangdi Essay

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Born in 259 BCE, Ying Zheng became the ruler of Qin at the age of 13. Later changing his name to Qin Shi Huangdi, meaning ‘first emperor’, he became the greatest ruler of Ancient China, despite his brutality.

Question 2

First paragraph - Negative - Topic Sentence

Answer 2

During his rise to power, Qin Shi Huangdi overcame many challenges, most with brutish force.

Question 3

First Paragraph - Negative - Evidence 1 - Burning of the Books

Answer 3

Jacplus Retroactive Textbook states that “460 scholars tried to hide ancient court records, histories and the works of philosophers such as Confucius. Soldiers executed them by burying them all alive.”

Question 4

First Paragraph - Negative - Evidence 2 - Legalism

Answer 4

Tian Renlong, author of Meng Tian, says “The emperor followed Li Si’s legalist proposal that the empire should be governed solely through commandants administered by state officials…”

Question 5

First Paragraph - Negative - Onwards Link

Answer 5

Although Qin Shi Huangdi certainly has many crimes against his name, they are greatly outweighed by his achievements.

Question 6

Second Paragraph - Positive - Topic Sentence

Answer 6

Despite Qin Shi Huangdi’s tyrannical behaviour, he was always a great leader.

Question 7

Second Paragraph - Positive - Evidence 1 - Unification and Standardisation

Answer 7

Carved into a bronze plate was an Imperial Edict; “In the twenty fifth year of his reign (221 BCE) the emperor unified [the seven warring states]…[He] ordered the prime minister to reform the measures and weights.”

Question 8

Second Paragraph - Positive - Onwards Link

Answer 8

Without a doubt, Qin Shi Huangdi was a superior leader.

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

Over Qin Shi Huangdi’s reign he achieved many things and vastly changed the world he lived in for the better. This is obvious for the changes he made are still visible today. That, if any, is the sign of a truly great leader.