Question

Which of these BEST explains why Shi Huangdi (259 - 210 BCE) ordered the burning of all books, except for those on medicine, divination, agriculture, and forestry, and ordered the live burial of more than 400 alchemists?

A) Ancestor worship required him to help ancestors in the afterlife.
B) He was weeding out scholars and writing that might threaten his power.
C) The public became angry during a time of family and scapegoated scholars.
D) He offered a sacrifice to the gods to seek balance and harmony during instability.

Answer 1

B

Step-by-step explanation:

In his effort to consolidate power shortly after uniting China, for Shi Huangdi was weeding out scholars and writing that might threaten his power.. Fearful of Confucian scholars who used legal and historical writings to analyze his decisions and actions, Shi Huangdi used book burning and execution to intimidate and remove the perceived threat therefore it is B.

Answer 2

The best and most correct answer among the choices provided by the question is the second choice "He was weeding out scholars and writing that might threaten his power. "


Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty and was the first emperor of a unified China. He was born Ying Zheng or Zhao Zheng, a prince of the state of Qin.

I hope my answer has come to your help. God bless and have a nice day ahead!