Discuss the unification of China under the Qin dynasty. What policies did the first emperor, Shi ...

ANSWER:
The Warring States Period was characterized by the existence of various small independent states. The Qin state united China by conquering the other states. Drawing on the Legalist philosophy, which justified force and coercion, the Qin suppressed all opposition and demanded forced labor from subjects. The Qin's commitment to standardization helped to create a unified Chinese civilization. They imposed standard weights and measures, coinage, a uniform law code, a common written language, and even regulations governing the axle length of carts to leave one set of ruts in the road. The Qin also built roads to connect the empire and ease the movement of armies, as well as canals to connect river systems. The expansion of a chain of walls on the northern frontier protected agricultural lands from nomadic attack.