History I / Ancient China: Qin and Han
Practice question · Multiple choice

Why did the Qin dynasty collapse after only about fifteen years?

Hints
  1. Being late for conscription and rebelling both carried death.
  2. If the punishment is identical, what does a rain-delayed work gang have to lose?
Show the answer

B. Its Legalist penalties made rebellion rational

Why

When lateness and rebellion carry the same penalty, a delayed work gang has nothing to lose by revolting, and one such gang lit the fuse. The machine was built to be maximally hard and had no setting for bend.

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