What makes the Great Wall of China so extraordinary - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen

Summary

The Great Wall of China, a 13,000-mile-long serpentine structure, has a complex history dating back to the Chunqiu period. Initially built by feudal states for protection, it was expanded by Emperor Qin Shi Huang to defend against northern invasions. Forced labor was used extensively, leading to a notorious reputation. Despite its formidable presence, the wall was breached by Mongols in the 13th century. The Ming dynasty reinforced it with bricks and stones, but its purpose diminished with the Qing dynasty's expansion. Today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the wall stands as a cultural icon, attracting millions of tourists and undergoing preservation efforts.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Great Wall of China, spanning 13,000 miles, is an ancient fortification built to protect against invasions.
• 👑 It was initiated during the Chunqiu period by individual states and later unified and expanded by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 221 BCE.
• 🔨 Construction involved both soldiers and conscripted laborers, including peasants and criminals, under harsh conditions.
• 📏 Under the Han Dynasty, the wall was extended to 3,700 miles, reflecting the extensive use of forced labor.
• 🏹 Despite its size, the wall was not always impenetrable, as evidenced by the Mongol invasions in the 13th century.
• 🧱 The Ming Dynasty reinforced the wall with bricks and stones, adding watchtowers and defensive mechanisms.
• 🏹 The wall was not just a physical barrier; it also served as a communication network with fire and smoke signals.
• 🏛️ The Great Wall lost its military significance after the Qing Dynasty, as the empire's borders extended beyond it.
• 🌐 In modern times, the wall has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a major tourist attraction.
• 🔍 Despite popular belief, the Great Wall is not the only man-made structure visible from space; it is barely discernible from low Earth orbit.

Q & A

What was the initial purpose of the Great Wall of China?

The initial purpose of the Great Wall was to protect against nomadic raiders north of China and to serve as a defense against invasions by Mongol, Turkish, and Xiongnu tribes.

Who was the first emperor to unify China and expand the Great Wall?

Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first to unify China in 221 BCE and he expanded the small walls built by his predecessors, connecting and fortifying them.

What natural barriers did Emperor Qin Shi Huang utilize for defense after unifying the states?

After unifying the states, Emperor Qin Shi Huang used the Tibetan Plateau and the Pacific Ocean as natural barriers, while focusing on fortifying the northern mountains against invasions.

How was the labor for the Great Wall's construction during the Qin Dynasty obtained?

During the Qin Dynasty, labor for the Great Wall's construction was obtained through conscription of soldiers and commoners, often forcibly, as well as using criminals serving out sentences.

How long did the Great Wall extend under the Han Dynasty?

Under the Han Dynasty, the Great Wall extended to 3700 miles, reaching from Dunhuang to the Bohai Sea.

What were the conditions like for the workers who built the Great Wall during the Han Dynasty?

The conditions for workers during the Han Dynasty were harsh, with many laborers dying from accidents, hunger, and exhaustion, leading to a notorious reputation for the wall as a place of suffering.

How did the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan, overcome the Great Wall?

Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan managed to surmount the Great Wall during the Mongol invasion of the 13th Century, despite its formidable nature.

What changes were made to the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty?

During the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall was refortified and consolidated using bricks and stones from local kilns, with watchtowers, small openings for archers, and larger ones for dropping stones.

Why did the Great Wall lose its defensive purpose after the Qing Dynasty was established?

The Great Wall lost its defensive purpose after the Qing Dynasty was established because the empire's borders extended beyond the wall, and the people it was built to keep out were now part of the ruling dynasty.

What is the current status of the Great Wall of China and its main purpose today?

Today, the Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, primarily serving a cultural purpose and welcoming millions of visitors each year. However, it requires preservation efforts due to the impact of tourism.

Is it true that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space?

No, it is not true. While the Great Wall is often claimed to be visible from space, it is barely discernible from low Earth orbit, and not visible from the moon. Many other man-made structures are more easily seen.

How is new knowledge about the Great Wall of China still being discovered today?

New sections of the Great Wall are still discovered every few years, branching off from the main body and expanding our understanding of this remarkable monument to human achievement.