Megan Salsbury
The
The History of the Great Wall
originated as a military fortification against intrusion by tribes on the borders during the earlier Zhou Dynasty
Late in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BCE - 476 BCE), the ducal states extended the defense work
Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi connected the wall to form a defensive system on the northern border of the country; in 214 BC, Qin Shi Huangdi ordered the connection of the wall into one continuous structure
It took about ten years to finish and the wall stretched from Linzhao in the west to Liaodong in the east.
To maintain the safety of the Hexi Corridor from Xiongnu, Emperor Wu ordered the extension of the Great Wall westward into the Hexi Corridor and Xinjiang region.
The Wall was further extended and strengthened in the succeeding dynasties. Especially during the Ming dynasty when the northern nomadic ethnic groups became very powerful and threatened to invade China.
Construction of the Great Wall
The Great Wall is reputed as one of the seven wonders in the world not only for its long history, but its massive construction size, and its unique architectural style as well.
The architectural style of the Great Wall is a marvel in the history of construction in the world. Since the weaponry only consisted of swords and spears, lances and halberds, and bows and arrows in the ancient times, walls with passes, watchtowers, signal towers, together with moats became
important parts of the defense strategy.
The labor force was just as impressive as the wall. Thousands of people were recruited to build the wall.
There are nine sections of the Great Wall and eleven ports of entry.
Nine Sections of the Great Wall
1. Great Wall in
2. Great Wall in
3. Great Wall in
4. Great Wall in
5. Great Wall in
6. Great Wall in
7. Great Wall in
8. Great Wall in Ningxia
9. Great Wall in
Importance of the Great Wall
The Great Wall was a defense against
the northern neighbors of
The Great Wall was and still is a monument of pride for the Chinese.
It is a symbol of the unification
of