Legalism in China

Imagine living in a region where all hell breaks loose; where everybody is at war with each other. China originated as one of the first civilizations as early as 2200 B.C.E. and grew large quickly (Strayer, 103). China, by 500 B.C.E., was in utter disarray. Seven kingdoms quickly became rivals and began competing in a ruthless battle where any signs of earlier unity had faded (Strayer, 103). In the state of Qin Shihuangdi, China established a political philosophy called Legalism. This philosophy was based on a system of strict rules along with unrelenting punishments as a means of restoring authority in China.

Because of the disagreements between the seven kingdoms, there was an emphasis on development of the state. Shihuangdi launched a military campaign as an attempt to reassemble China (Strayer, 103). The second paragraph of the document references the size and powers of the country’s military. It states that if a person enforces the law, they will see the army grow stronger and, essentially, the power of their country’s enemies will weaken. Legalism was imposed as a strict form of political philosophy. The people of China were ruthless, and believed that the end justified the means. That same paragraph of the document also references the fact that men who understand the need for strict laws should hold positions of power over others because this understanding makes them superior. The people would do whatever was necessary in order to restore unification in China.

The fourth paragraph of the document is about restoring order and correcting the faults of others. Although the state of Qin had developed an effective bureaucracy which was equipped with weapons and an increasing population, not all of China was doing so well. Shihuangdi managed to restore order in China after just ten years because of the military actions that were taken due to his orders (Strayer, 103). After his plan to reunify China through the military worked, he believed he had created an eternal empire and then named himself Shihuangdi, which translates to “first emperor” (Strayer, 103). A belief