Why Was the Great Wall of China Built?
The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic and impressive feats of architecture in human history. It is a symbol of China's rich cultural heritage and has come to represent the spirit and resilience of the Chinese people. But what was the purpose of the Great Wall of China, and why was it built?
The earliest walls were built in the 7th century BC during the Zhou Dynasty and were made of earth and stone. They are believed to successfully carry out missions to protect the Chinese Empire from the northern nomadic tribes.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the great powers defended each other for hegemony. According to their respective defensive needs, they built the Great Wall on their borders, the first one was the "Chu Great Wall" in the 7th century B.C. After that, Qi, Han, Wei, Zhao, Yan, Qin, Zhongshan and other large and small vassal states built the Great Wall one after another for self-defense.
Later, Qin annexed the six kingdoms and unified the country, establishing the first unified, multi-ethnic centralized state in Chinese history. In order to maintain and consolidate the security of the unprecedentedly unified empire, Qin Shi Huang took a series of major strategic measures for defense construction and border guarding, one of which was the large-scale construction of the Great Wall of China.
During the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall of China was expanded and improved upon. The wall was made taller and wider, and additional watchtowers and fortresses were added. The Ming Dynasty also built barracks along the wall, which housed soldiers who were responsible for patrolling and defending the wall.
The Great Wall of China also served as a means of communication and transportation. The wall was equipped with signal towers, which allowed soldiers to communicate with each other over long distances. The wall was also used as a transportation route, as soldiers could move quickly and safely along the wall, bypassing difficult terrain and potential ambushes.
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Why did They Build the Great Wall of China?
The Great Wall of China was built over 2500 years ago to protect China's northern borders from invading armies. The wall was constructed to serve as a barrier between the Chinese Empire and the nomadic tribes that lived in the northern regions of China. These tribes were known for their military prowess and often launched raids and invasions into Middle Land’s territory.
The earliest walls were built in the 7th century BC during the Zhou Dynasty and were made of earth and stone. They are believed to successfully carry out missions to protect the Chinese Empire from the northern nomadic tribes.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the great powers defended each other for hegemony. According to their respective defensive needs, they built the Great Wall on their borders, the first one was the "Chu Great Wall" in the 7th century B.C. After that, Qi, Han, Wei, Zhao, Yan, Qin, Zhongshan and other large and small vassal states built the Great Wall one after another for self-defense.
Later, Qin annexed the six kingdoms and unified the country, establishing the first unified, multi-ethnic centralized state in Chinese history. In order to maintain and consolidate the security of the unprecedentedly unified empire, Qin Shi Huang took a series of major strategic measures for defense construction and border guarding, one of which was the large-scale construction of the Great Wall of China.
During the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall of China was expanded and improved upon. The wall was made taller and wider, and additional watchtowers and fortresses were added. The Ming Dynasty also built barracks along the wall, which housed soldiers who were responsible for patrolling and defending the wall.
How did the Great Wall Help in Ancient Warfare?
One of the primary purposes of the Great Wall of China was to serve as a deterrent to potential invaders. The wall was a visible and imposing symbol of China's military might and was designed to intimidate and discourage potential invaders from attempting to breach China's borders. In addition, the wall served as a line of defense, allowing Chinese soldiers to detect and intercept enemy forces before they could reach China's heartland.The Great Wall of China also served as a means of communication and transportation. The wall was equipped with signal towers, which allowed soldiers to communicate with each other over long distances. The wall was also used as a transportation route, as soldiers could move quickly and safely along the wall, bypassing difficult terrain and potential ambushes.
Today, the Great Wall of China has come to symbolize the strength and resilience of the Chinese people. It is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the builders who constructed the wall over many centuries. The wall has endured for thousands of years and has become a cherished symbol of China's cultural heritage.
