The Qin Dynasty was the first in history to unify much of
modern-day China under a single emperor. However, the dynasty
did not last very long - it began to collapse almost immediately
after the founder's death. Qin Dynasty Emperors of China - Qin
Shi Huangdi, ruled 221 - 210 BCE - Qin Er Shi, r. 210 - 207 BCE
Qin Shi Huangdi was a great conquerer, and started work on
northern border fortifications that later formed the basis of
the Great Wall of China. His son was a much weaker ruler,
however, so the dynasty collapsed in the third year of his
reign.