China and Its Great Wall, Shihuangdi (“First Emperor”), discussion help

Shihuangdi considered himself “First Emperor” and united Qin (China).  His massive building projects included the Great Wall and his own tomb.  The price for strength and unity was what we would consider oppression.  Read pages 225-227 and evaluate the rule of Emperor Shihuangdi. 

1) Do you admire him or not? Explain why or why not. 

2) Read the description of the philosophy of Han Feizi philosophy on page 225.  Do you agree with Confucian ideas of the person and government, or Han Feizi? (By the way, you will notice the same debates in western political philosophy also.)

Explore

China and Its Great Wall

• Chapter 7 (pp. 216-218, 225), early phases, (pp. 617-618) later phase
• Explore wall interactively at http://www.airpano.ru/files/China-Great-Wall/2-2
• Video at http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/discovery-atlas-china-revealed-the-great-wall.htm
• UNESCO article at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/438
• “China’s Wall Less Great in View from Space” article at http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/workinginspace/great_wall.html