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Emperor Qin a Legalist

Kelly McCusker-Brown     Front Page News Story                      2-5-12

Emperor Qin a Legalist

By: Kelly McCusker-Brown

September 5, 221 B.C.

China News

Xianyang, Emperor Qin and his government officials have decided to follow the philosophy of legalism. Emperor Qin tells us, “I believe that everyone is basically bad, and I need control over my dynasty.”

Li Si the chancellor of the Qin dynasty says, “I dislike the ways of Confucianism and I believe the ways of legalism will make China much better behaved.” Confucianism has been in China for many years and Qin decides that he wants China to have many laws and harsh punishments for those who disobey. Ming Lau a citizen of Qin tells us, “Truly, I’m against this whole philosophy of legalism. I just don’t get how someone could get punished for the littlest crimes.”

Now it is illegal to whine about Qin’s government. If you even suggest that things might be improved you would be put to death without a trial. Fei Zi a government official says, “I agree with the ways of legalism and like our Emperor Qin, I dislike the teachings of Confucius and do not believe in any education for the common man.” Qin thinks the harsh punishments he created will help China have the discipline needed to work hard.

Qin's Worst Choice Yet

Kelly McCusker-Brown                     Editorial Article                      2-5-12

Qin’s Worst Choice Yet

          The Emperor of Qin decides to become a legalist. Qin says, “I want control over my dynasty so my officials and I decide we should have many edicts and harsh punishments for those who disobey.” Legalists believe that people are basically bad. This is not the smartest choice, Qin’s terrible decision on becoming a legalist will harm China.

          Instead of continuing Confucius teachings like the other dynasties Qin chose legalism. This means China will have less education for the common man. Now there will be many edicts and harsh punishments for those who do the littlest crimes. It is illegal to whine about Qin’s government. If you even suggest things might be improved you will be put to death without a trial. Lastly the philosophy of legalism might start a rebellion. This could be a big mistake for the Qin dynasty because people will not enjoy the harsh punishments and they will start going against Qin. Qin should have never gone with legalism.

          However, others think following the ways of legalism instead of Confucianism was the best choice. Others think Qin’s decision on legalism is necessary to unite China. Some people believe that legalism gives the people of China more discipline needed to work hard, but it might make them rebel. Others say legalism is a great way for Qin to have control over his dynasty, but who wants to live in a dynasty with such tight control? Lastly people might think there would be less education and more time for work sense Confucianism is banned. “Yes, people will spend less time studying Confucianism, but they will spend more time dealing with the harsh punishments of legalism.” However, these people are wrong because people who do the littlest things get harshly punished.

          China’s philosophy should be Confucianism not legalism. This will keep China together and the Qin dynasty would last much longer if we followed Confucius teachings. How will Qin’s decision affect China?     

China then and China now

Kelly McCusker-Brown          Qin Dynasty Map                   2-6-12

China then and China now

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/willow/history-of-china1.gif

            The Qin dynasty started in 221 B.C and ended in 206 B.C. The map of the Qin dynasty is approximately 1/6 the size of present day China. The Qin dynasty is located on the East coast of China bordering the East China Sea. The capital city of the Qin dynasty was Xianyang centrally located in the province. Xianyang is where Emperor Qin ruled from. It is located on the Wei River. Xianyang became the center of culture, politics, and banking for the Qin dynasty.

          Qin built the Great Wall of China to keep invaders from attacking from the north. Qin conquered six other states during the Warring States Period. The Warring States Period was a time when regional warlords invaded smaller states around them and became more powerful.

          China has expanded in size to the largest country in the world. Its population is over one billion people. China is governed by the Communist Party. China has come a long way since the Qin dynasty.    

My Interview With Li Si, The Chancellor of Qin

Kelly McCusker-Brown          Interview              2-5-12

My Interview With Li Si, The Chancellor of Qin

https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSUPKPHrMRiArcLwvqaHthPrqFi_D1kTTLwv0U4qFdzHgVFN6fUaw

Q. When did you realize, “The values of people are determined by their social status?”

A. Well, one day I observed that rats in the restroom were dirty and hungry. I also noticed that the rats in the barn house were well feed.

Q. How did you decide you wanted to take up politics as your career?

A. During the Warring States Period it was the most common choice for scholars not from a noble family. Because of that decision after finishing my education with the famous Confucian thinker, Xun Zi, I moved to Qin and tried to advance my political career there.

Q. Li Si, how were you responsible for the death of a minor prince, Han Fei?

A. Well, once the Emperor and I met he was impressed with my ideas. I envied Han Fei’s intelligence so I persuaded Qin that he could neither send him back nor employ him. So Han Fei was imprisoned and I convinced him to commit suicide by poisoning.

Q. Why did you persuade Qin to “suppress intellectual dissent”?

A. I believed that books about medicine, agriculture, and prophecy could be ignored but political books were dangerous in public hands. As a result only the state could keep political books.

Q. What contributions did you give to the Qin dynasty?

A. There were many contributions I gave to Qin. One was I believed in a highly bureaucratic system so I was considered to have success of Qin’s military conquest. I also helped systemize the written Chinese language and the standard measure and currency in past unified China.

No Religion Just Philosophy

Kelly McCusker-Brown          Religion/Belief Systems           2-5-12

No Religion Just Philosophy

The Qin dynasty had a relatively non-religious period in Chinese history. Qin had more of a philosophy rule called legalism. Legalists believe that people are basically bad and they also thought that rulers should have very detailed laws and harsh punishments. Qin’s punishments became very harsh that people started to rebel against the government. Legalism is why the Qin dynasty only lasted from 221 to 206 B.C.

          Han Fei was born a prince of the state of Han. Han Fei did not agree with Confucius teachings that claimed proper behavior. In a book called Han Feizi or basic writings he instructed rulers to enforce strict laws and have severe punishments. Han Fei said, “Rulers should trust no one, including their own families, because he who trusts others will be controlled by others.”

Pipas and Soldiers

Kelly McCusker-Brown          Literature/Art/Music                2-5-12

Pipas and Soldiers

                                                                                                   

                                          

           The Terra Cotta Army  jingdaily.com                                The Pipa  paulnoll.com

The Qin dynasty had a very good artistic style. Qin forced artisans to work on an underground tomb full of statues of Qin’s army which is called the Terra Cotta Army. The Terra Cotta Army is one of the most admired products of China. Another artistic style was Qin’s writing style, and its new style of calligraphy.

There was not much literature during the Qin dynasty because Qin was against Confucianism. Qin burned most books about medicine, herbs, divining, and agriculture. There were many instruments introduced to China during the Qin dynasty. A native instrument of the Qin dynasty was the zheng. A zheng is a plucked string instrument made from bamboo. Another instrument from the Qin dynasty is called the pipa which is a four stringed lute.