SOURCE2 Hsun-tzu, a Confucian scholar of the third century BCE, commenting on the methods of the rulers of the state of Qin in the last years of the Warring States period. These same methods were used throughout China under the Qin dynasty.
The Qin rulers employ their people harshly, terrorise them with authority, embitter them with hardship, bribe them with rewards, and destroy them with punishments.
What changes occurred because of Qin Shihuang? • SOURCE1 discusses the changes made to ensure that tools, measures and written language were consistent across the empire. It also discusses that Qin Shihuang’s rule led to limited crime, robbers or thieves, and that people generally lived a pleasant life under his reign. These changes are discussed quite positively. However SOURCE2 comments on the more negative changes that occurred under Qin Shihuang, such as terror and punishment. SOURCE2 states that people lived with hardship, as opposed to the peaceful way of life described in SOURCE1 . Who was impacted by the rule of Qin Shihuang? • Both sources indicate that the Chinese people were impacted by Qin Shihuang’s rule, including aspects of their life such as law and order, communication and work. How has Qin Shihuang been remembered, celebrated or commemorated over time? • It is evident within SOURCE1 — an inscription ordered by Qin Shihuang himself — that the ruler wanted to be remembered positively, for bringing peace to his people and encouraging them to live a more prosperous life. However, in SOURCE2 , he and the entire Qin dynasty are remembered as cruel and terrorising, punishing the Chinese people and making their lives more difýcult. Was there anything unique or new under Qin Shihuang’s rule? • SOURCE2 indicates that the rules implemented under Qin Shihuang were not unique to his rule, but rather were a common feature of all Qin rulers. What do the sources tell us about the ideas, attitudes, beliefs, practices and customs of ancient China under Qin Shihuang’s rule? • SOURCE1 reveals to us that Qin Shihuang wanted to appear in a favourable way and implemented propaganda to convince the public of his goodness. It shows us the ways in which rulers attempted to shape their public image in the eyes of their people. SOURCE2 reveals that people felt oppressed under the Qin dynasty and their views and attitudes contradict the ways in which Qin Shihuang wanted to be perceived, as seen in SOURCE1 . As a result, we can come to a conclusion about the signiýcance of Qin Shihuang as a ruler within ancient China. His rule was signiýcant as he contributed to a poor and repressive way of life among Chinese people, using strict laws and tactics to control the population. However, his rule is also signiýcant as it reveals the ways in which leaders in ancient societies attempted to present themselves to the public and gain control over society using propaganda to shape their views and attitudes. 1.8.3 Letmedo it 1.8 SkillBuilder activity This activity will help you to apply a set of criteria to determine the signiýcance of a key leader in ancient Egypt who is discussed in this textbook — Tutankhamun. If you are not studying ancient Egypt, you can use any other key leader from your chosen ancient society. 1. Using Topic 3 of this textbook and your own research, examine the life and rule of Tutankhamun. Record key events and achievements in his rule.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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