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Essay on Great Wall of China

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100 Words Essay on Great Wall of China

Introduction.

The Great Wall of China is a magnificent ancient structure. Built over 2000 years ago, it stretches over 13,000 miles and is a symbol of China’s rich history.

Why was it built?

The Great Wall was built primarily for defense. Chinese emperors wanted to protect their lands from invasions, especially from the northern tribes.

Construction

Building the Great Wall was a massive task. Millions of workers used local materials like stone, wood, and earth to construct it.

Significance Today

Today, the Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It attracts millions of tourists and is a symbol of Chinese ingenuity and resilience.

250 Words Essay on Great Wall of China

The great wall of china: an architectural marvel.

The Great Wall of China, an enduring symbol of human tenacity, represents a pinnacle of ancient defensive architecture. Its construction, spanning several dynasties, is a testament to the strategic foresight and engineering prowess of its builders.

Historical Significance

The Wall was primarily built to protect the Chinese empire from northern invasions. It served as a physical barrier, but also a psychological deterrent, showcasing the might of the empire. The Wall’s historical significance is further underscored by its role in trade regulation, as it facilitated the Silk Road commerce.

Architectural Ingenuity

The Wall’s architectural ingenuity is evident in its adaptation to the diverse topography of China. It traverses rugged mountains, vast deserts, and dense forests, demonstrating the builders’ advanced understanding of engineering and construction techniques. The beacon towers, an integral part of the Wall, served as communication hubs, illustrating a sophisticated early warning system.

Cultural Symbolism

Over time, the Great Wall has transcended its original purpose, becoming a symbol of national identity and unity. It embodies the spirit of perseverance and resilience, qualities that are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture.

Preservation and Challenges

Despite its robust construction, the Wall faces preservation challenges due to natural erosion and human activities. Its preservation is crucial not only for historical reasons but also for its value as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction.

500 Words Essay on Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China, a monumental feat of ancient defensive architecture, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. Its construction spans several dynasties, reflecting the evolution of architectural techniques and strategic thinking over the centuries.

Historical Overview

The origins of the Great Wall can be traced back to the 7th century BC. During this period, separate walls were constructed by different states to protect their territories from invasions. It was Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, who initiated the project of joining these walls into a unified defense system in the 3rd century BC. The Wall underwent several enhancements and extensions under different dynasties, notably the Han, the Northern Qi, and the Ming.

Architectural Marvel

Symbolic significance.

Beyond its practical military purpose, the Great Wall has a profound symbolic significance. It embodies the Chinese people’s spirit of perseverance and their ability to unite for a common cause. The Wall stands as a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage, reflecting the civilization’s rich history and its enduring strength.

Modern Relevance

Today, the Great Wall serves as a major tourist attraction, offering insights into China’s past and its architectural prowess. However, it is also facing challenges due to natural erosion and human activities. Conservation efforts are underway to preserve this iconic structure for future generations.

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China is the largest country in Asia and the world’s most populous nation. It also has one of the world’s oldest and continuous civilizations. The Chinese have occupied their vast territory for thousands of years and China has numerous achievements in a variety of disciplines. The country has produced many great thinkers and philosophers, and numerous artists and inventors from China have introduced creations that have changed perhaps billions of lives. Some of these creations include the compass, gunpowder, paper, printing, porcelain, and silk. But perhaps the most well-known and recognized symbol of China is the Great Wall .

The Great Wall, or Chang Cheng in Chinese, is massive. It begins in the east at the Yellow Sea, travels near China’s capital, Beijing, and continues west through numerous provinces. For thousands of miles, it winds like a snake through China’s varied terrain. Smaller walls extend from the main wall. According to conservative estimates, the Great Wall’s length is approximately 2,400 miles, its thickness ranges from 15-30 feet wide, and it reaches in height to about 25 feet. For many centuries, the Great Wall has been considered one of the world’s wonders (Turnbull & Noon, 2007).

Although it is often mistakenly thought of as a single wall, the Great Wall is a series of walls that were constructed, reconstructed, and expanded over several centuries and, depending on the location, having different materials. The massive construction project was the idea of China’s first emperor, Shi Huangdi, who ended more than 250 years of regional fighting between several independent states, and united China. Once in control, Shi Huangdi wanted to maintain his power and position. The idea to create a massive wall along the northern border of the country was conceived by the emperor to bar assailants from kingdoms to the north of China. The construction of the Great Wall continued long after the reign of Shi Huangdi, particularly during the Han and the Ming dynasties. During these periods, features such as watch towers, gates, and garrisons were added or enhanced, and the Great Wall’s design was unified (Marsh, 2006).

The Great Wall is of great significance, as it reflects much of China’s extensive history. The Great Wall helped define the empire and mark a boundary between the Chinese and foreigners. The great emperor, Shi Huangdi, wanted to keep the Chinese people together and at the same time isolate foreigners, especially those to the north (Sterling, 2009). The Great Wall survives today, more than 2,000 years after its initial construction. It attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each day, being one of the most toured and significant monuments in the world. This has helped boost China’s economy through tourism and foreign exchange (Collins, Staton & Milgrom, 2010).

The Great Wall is undeniably one of humankind’s most prominent and enduring architectural feats. It is a testament to a people’s ability to plan, organize, create, and work diligently together. The wall is a monument to Chinese civilization, one that came at great costs and through countless sacrifices.

References Collins, T., Staton, J., & Milgrom, A. (2010). Building the Great Wall of China: An Isabel Soto History Adventure . Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Marsh, C. (2006). The Mystery on the Great Wall of China . Peachtree City, GA: Gallopade International.

Sterling, B. L. (2009). Do Good Fences Make Good Neighbors? What History Teaches Us about Strategic Barriers and International Security . Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press.

Turnbull, S. R., & Noon, S. (2007). The Great Wall of China, 221 BC-AD 1644 . Oxford, UK: Osprey Pub.

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Great Wall of China summary

500 word essay about the great wall of china

Great Wall of China , Chinese Wanli Changcheng , Defensive wall, northern China. One of the largest building-construction projects ever carried out, it runs (with all its branches) about 4,500 mi (7,300 km) east to west from the Bo Hai (Gulf of Chihli) to a point deep in Central Asia. Large parts of the fortification date from the 7th to the 4th century bce . In the 3rd century bce the emperor Shihuangdi connected existing defensive walls into a single system fortified by watchtowers. These served both to guard the rampart and to communicate with the capital, Xianyang (near modern Xi’an ) by signal—smoke by day and fire by night. Originally constructed partly of masonry and earth, it was faced with brick in its eastern portion. It was rebuilt in later times, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries. The basic wall is about 23–26 ft (7–8 m) high; at intervals towers rise above it to varying heights. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

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The Great Wall Of China And Its Significance

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The History of the Great Wall of China Term Paper

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Introduction

Ramparts, barracks and crenellations.

The Great Wall spreads out from Liaoning Province through Hebei Province, Tianjin Municipality, Beijing Municipality, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, and Nigxia Autonomous region to Shanxi Province. Michaud, R (2001). The Great Wall of China stands as the longest fortified manmade structure ever constructed in the history of humanity. Michaud, R (2001). The wall that stretches beyond 4,600 miles was erected objectively for defence reasons, it was perceived as the only stratagem that could put the northern invaders at bay. Although its now cashing in greatly in the tourism domain. The was built in succession by the ruling hegemony of the time. Hundreds of thousands of laborers were involved in the construction of this wall. Michaud, R (2001).

Qin Dynasty

The genesis of the construction of the great wall began in 214 BC under the auspices of the Qin dynasty. His regime commissioned for the erection of the fortified wall immediately after he had achieved unifying China. Michaud, R (2001). During the first four years, more than 800,000-labor force were involved in the development process. Despite the fact that the wall achieved in resisting raiders it did not solve the internal wrangles. The internal implosion worsened precipitating a regime change in 206 BC. Michaud, R (2001).

Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty progressively took over leadership and also enhanced the construction of the same wall after having noted the impeccable imperatives. The wall was spread far and beyond Zhaoxinag, Gansu Province. Lovell, J. (2006). The Han Dynasty engaged in a fearful warfare with raiders for a period of 60 years, owing to the conditions of the wall that was breached by the raiders. By 130 BC, an emperor known as Wudi of the Han Dynasty resumed on a program of extending, rebuilding and fortifying the original wall concept. Lovell, J. (2006). Immediately after this changes were evident the emperor ordered for the expansion of the second great wall, outposts in Zhangye, Wuwei, Jiuquan, Dunhuang and Yumenguan in the Guansu province and Lopnor and other Xinjiang Province. The great wall was extended down the Hexi Corridor through which Silk Road traders would travel on the way to and from west. Michaud, R (2001).

No sooner than later the Han Dynasty fell apart into the three kingdoms of the Wei, Shu and Wu, the northern Wei kingdom decided to enhance maintaining the Great Wall to facilitate a defense cordon against Rouran and Oidan nomads from the northern plains. Lovell, J. (2006). Despite constant maintenance, the Rouran nomads kept breaching the wall. By 618AD the Wei kingdom fused by the Sui kingdom hence overthrowing the Tang Dynasty. Michaud, R (2001). By 1115, the founded Jin Dynasty commandeered and propelled for the construction of the Third Great Wall that incorporated ditches that ran parallel to the wall, this was precisely in the Heilongjing Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Lovell, J. (2006).

Yuan Dynasty

Despite the impressive fortifications built, the Mongols overthrew the Jin in 1276 and established the Yuan Dynasty. During the Yuan dynasties rule, the Wall fell into deep disrepair and in 1368, the Chinese Ming Dynasty walked right in and took control. Lovell, J. (2006). Years later the Ming empire re-establised the manning of the Great Wall, they made this much strategic by building garrisons and fortresses a long the wall. Lovell, J. (2006). By 1372 they put up a fort at Jiayuguan. The second Ming emperor, Yongle, turned his concentration on the outward world where he turned delegated explorers into navigating the external world. Lovell, J. (2006). The Tumu warfare against the Mongols, however rejuvenated the fortification of the wall between 1569 through to 1583, the most well known parts of the Great Wall were built, the Fourth Great Wall. This fortified wall was used to repel the Mongols myriad times. Lovell, J. (2006).

During the Qing Dynasty, that took leadership in 1644 under the leadership of emperor Manchu. This era marked the beginning of the deteriorating wall, where stones were lifted and used in some other places. Markus, F (2006). This hegemony was geared to the complete destruction of the wall. However it was until towards the end of 20 th century, in 1984 that the then President Deng Xiaoping embarked on a relentless move to protect and refurbish the project of the great wall. Lovell, J. (2006). The UNESCO declared some parts of the Great Wall in the capital city of Beijing a global Cultural heritage site. The Great Wall of China can be visited at many places along its length of several thousand kilometers. Its condition ranges from excellent to ruined and access from straightforward to quite difficult. Markus, F (2006).

If their claim holds true, the Great Wall is over 400 years older than previously thought. Before the announcement, the first official work on the wall generally was attributed to Emperor Shi Huangdi of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.). Markus, F (2006). It is evident that this longest Great Wall is visible from space, constructed entirely by hand, with most sections in bricks and stones, the great wall winds through mountainous regions and borders through the desert regions. Michaud, R (2001). The Chu kingdom that lived in 1100-223 B.C is believed to have been the founders of the great wall. During the reign of the Chu era, the Chinese were subdivided into small groups that waged wars against each other. The territorial uncertainties might have contributed towards the creation of this Great wall. Markus, F (2006).

The government has relentlessly touted proactive measures that will ensure the protection of the historical site. It has been viewed a major tourist attraction, besides beacon towers have sprung up along the Kongque River, pass through Wulei, the site of the Prefecture government of the western region during the Han Dynasty. Markus, F (2006).

Ming Dynasty

During and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometres (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period with watch towers and cannons added. The Great Wall was key to protecting agriculture and resisting cavalry of the Uns and other warrior tribes from the north. Waldron.A. (2002). The Ming dynasty bricks were produced in Kilns set up along the wall. The Ming Dynasty revived the concept of the Great Wall in regard to Ming army’s defeat by the Oirats in the Battle of Tumu in 1449. After the Ming empire sensed their inadequacy to dominate the Mongols in warfare, they opted to adopt a fortified wall down the northern boarder. The walls however had to follow the southern edge to deviate form the fierce Mongols.

Waldron.A. (2002). The Ming embarked on a very strong construction by embedding stones and bricks. With enormous and persistent raids paused by the Mongols the Ming empire enhanced resources to maintain the refurbishing of the wall. Unlike the earlier Qin fortifications, the Ming construction was stronger and more elaborate due to the use of bricks and stone instead of rammed earth. As Mongol raids continued periodically over the years, the Ming devoted considerable resources to repair and reinforce the walls. Sections near the Ming capital of Beijing were especially strong. Accordingly, stones cut in rectangular shapes were employed for the basement, inner and outer brims, and gateways of the wall. Battlements line the uppermost portion of the vast majority of the wall, with defensive gaps a little over 30 cm (one foot) tall, and about 23 cm (9 inches) wide. Waldron.A. (2002).

The great wall incorporated rampart after ever 120 meters, this were mainly constructed to offer defense against enemies who could otherwise climb up the wall. Each rampart had a sentry structure in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without being vulnerable to he enemies attacks. Numerous crenellations were also designed in the entire wall to allow soldiers in overlooking and shooting the enemies. Waldron.A. (2002). Since the Precambrian had no audacity to penetrating the walls; the only alternative for the enemy’s entry was to attack the city gates. This is the reason why intricate gate frameworks were constructed within the wall. In Xian, the city wall includes fours gates and they respectively named as Changle (meaning eternal joy) in the east, Anding (harmony peace) in west, Yongning (eternal peace) in the south and Anyuan (forever harmony) in the north. Thomas B. (1992).

  • Thomas B. (1992) The Perilous Frontier: Nomadic Empires and China:
  • Waldron.A. (2002). The Great Wall of China. From the History to Myth: Cambridge University Press.
  • Markus, F (2006). Great Wall visible in space photo. BBC News, Asia-Pacific section.
  • Lovell, J. (2006). The Great Wall: China against the World. 1000 BC – 2000 AD. London: Atlantic Books; Sydney, Australia.
  • Michaud, R (2001). The Great Wall of China. Abbeville Press.
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IvyPanda. (2021, September 6). The History of the Great Wall of China. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-history-of-the-great-wall-of-china/

"The History of the Great Wall of China." IvyPanda , 6 Sept. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/the-history-of-the-great-wall-of-china/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'The History of the Great Wall of China'. 6 September.

IvyPanda . 2021. "The History of the Great Wall of China." September 6, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-history-of-the-great-wall-of-china/.

1. IvyPanda . "The History of the Great Wall of China." September 6, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-history-of-the-great-wall-of-china/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The History of the Great Wall of China." September 6, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-history-of-the-great-wall-of-china/.

Home / Essay Samples / Culture / Chinese Culture / The Great Wall of China by Ming Dynasty

The Great Wall of China by Ming Dynasty

  • Category: Culture , History
  • Topic: Chinese Culture , Chinese Dynasties , Ming Dynasty

Pages: 2 (698 words)

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  • He defeated the Western Xia to the west, now called The Northwestern Chinese. This caused a threat to Jin but was helpful to The Mongols. 
  • Defeating the enemies that are up north to guarantee that the territory was safe and protected. 
  • He enlisted Jin’s army and this guarded the northwest section of Jin’s Great Wall, making the area a military base, that was used for attacking Jin. 
  • He unsettled the Jin garrison soldiers for his use. 
  • He collected information on Jin’s court from businessmen and representatives. 

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