Why did Qin Shi Huang abolish feudal privileges?

Qin Shi Huang abolished feudal privileges primarily to establish a fully centralized administration and prevent the rise of independent satrapies that could challenge his authority. By dismantling the old feudal order, he sought to consolidate power and ensure that the emperor remained the sole source of authority in the newly unified Chinese empire.12

Following the advice of his chancellor, Li Si, the emperor implemented several measures to enforce this centralization:

• Administrative Reform: He divided the country into 36 military districts, each governed by centrally appointed civil and military administrators rather than hereditary lords.12
• Control of Aristocracy: To neutralize potential opposition, he forced wealthy aristocratic families to relocate to the capital, Xianyang.12
• Standardization: He issued orders for universal standardization—including weights, measures, laws, and the written language—to unify the administration of his vast territories.12

These actions were deeply rooted in the philosophy of legalism, which emphasized a strong bureaucratic government and the absolute power of the state over traditional feudal structures.1