Question

how did following the ideas of legalism contribute to the downfall of the qin dynasty during the reign of emperor shi huangdi?
the emperor wasted resources on building a large army.
the emperor was weakened because he supported fair treatment for all
the emperor focused on cruel punishments to enforce strict laws.
the emperor lost influence through peaceful contacts with other kingdoms

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Legalism isn't mainly about wasting resources on army building. Qin's large army was for conquest, not a direct Legalism - related downfall cause.
• Option 2: Legalism emphasizes strict laws and harsh punishments, not fair treatment. So this is incorrect.
• Option 3: Legalism is centered around strict laws and cruel punishments to maintain order. Emperor Shi Huangdi's use of such methods led to public resentment, which contributed to the Qin dynasty's downfall. This matches Legalism's principles.
• Option 4: Qin expanded through conquest, not peaceful contacts. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

C. The emperor focused on cruel punishments to enforce strict laws.