Legalism is one of the ideologies of classical Chinese philosophy that is growing at approximately the same period with Confucianism (warring states period). The greatest thinker of this doctrine is Han Feizi, originating from Han’s country (during the Zhou dynasty, instead of Han dynasty). Although derived from the Han, but precisely this doctrine was used by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi. In other words, it is not Confucianism, but Legalism who has rendered to unite China.

The originator of this teaching is Shang Yang, a minister of the Shang Dynasty. This teaching then reached a peak in the Han Feizi thinking because of the book he wrote, Jia Fa. In contrast to Confucianism, Legalism managed well documented and the authenticity is still awake. It is also became the only classical thought which has the complete document.

Han Feizi, as a prince of the land of Han, is an intelligent but has a stuttering problem in speaking. When he was young he studied Confucianism in Xun Zi, along with the future prime minister of Qin country, Li Si. But with the passage of time, he was more interested in studying law. He saw that the moral is not the main criterion to make the order. He argues that people are basically bad and have a tendency to break the law, for that needed strict laws to prevent them.

His thinking is not acceptable in his own country (Han), so he went to his friend, Li Si, which has become the prime minister of the king of Qin. Li Si, who noticed the thought of Han Fei was brilliant, indeed betrayed him and landed him in jail on charges of domestic spying from Han.

Legalism is a pragmatic mindset and tends to avoid utopian such as Confucianism. Their thinking is very simple with the rationale, “People who do services will be rewarded while those who make mistakes will be given the punishment “. Due to this thinking, Qin Shi Huang is known as a very cruel tyrant king. Qin dynasty eventually became known as the first dynasty which succeeds to unite China, but also very quick to fall. This is because the application of Legalism requires a strong ruler.

Qin Shi Huang is not only unifying China in terms of territory, but also in many other things. Different writing united, size and dose, even up to the rules of the road construction synchronized throughout China. Upgraded the country’s defense (construction of Chang Cheng / Great Wall) to prevent the Mongol attacks. There’s only one very regrettable thing which is the burning of books, and the massacre of another school of thinkers, only to keep the Chinese philosophy Legalism.