Shi Huangdi was the ruler of the Qin dynasty starting in 221BC. He fought all of the neighbouring states before taking over the whole of China. He had ruled for 37 years. When he suddenly died, his son became the Second Emperor who was quickly overthrown and the Han dynasty began.

To unite China, Shi Huangdi standardised the law. If anyone broke the law, they would suffer common punishments such as mutilation and chopping off hands or feet. Shi Huangdi made everyone in China use the same currency and language. He needed to make these changes or else he could not communicate with people from different parts of China. Also, the administrators had to be able to read the writing of the commandery. The same currency was used throughout the country so that people could trade easily. Bronze coins with square holes in the middle were used so that...