The Great Wall of China became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. It is one of the most impressive defensive structures ever created due to its size and the resources required to build. The Wall’s history is a complex one that some may not be aware of. This includes its time period, inspiration, and the many many parties involved.
When looking at its history it is important to understand the social context in China at the time when the idea of the wall came about. This time period being around the 7th-3rd Centuries BC. China was not a unified country, but was rather divided between eight main states: The Yan, Zhoa and Zhonshan states to the North, the Qin to the West, the Chu to the South, and the Wei, Han, and Qi in the center. These states eventually broke into a constant war with one another, known as the ‘Warring States’ period of China between 475=221 BC which ultimately ended in a Qin victory. However, tensions were still high before this period as territorial disputes and raids were still common.
The first large section of wall was actually created in the 7th Century BC by the Chu state near its capital Danyang. Other states followed their lead, including the Qi state building a wall along their southern border with the Chu. The Zhongshan, bordering the Zhoa built walls to the west for protection against the former. The Wei state in an exposed position between the Zhoa and Qin states, built two walls to protect themselves against these states and also nomadic groups. This practice of extensive wall fortifications during this period ended in 290 BC when the Yan state built the final piece. It is interesting to note that the first intentions of the wall were not to protect from nomadic groups, but rather from other states. The Qin Dynasty was the first to erect a wall for the sole purpose of defending themselves from nomadic groups around 300 BC. After they unified China in 221 BC, large portions of walls were dismantled as they were no longer needed after unifying China. They then moved their efforts to fortify its northern borders and connected walls formed by the Yan, Zhoa and Qi.
The wall was maintained throughout the next 600 years without major growth. It was not until around 410 AD that the wall was greatly expanded under Bei Wei dynasty. It saw 600 new miles of wall added with secondary smaller walls added as extra protection. It was also during this dynasty around 560 AD that major renovations were seen along most of the wall as it had fallen into disrepair. New sections in the northwest were also added with total repairs and new sections totaling around 900 miles. So what caused this great fortification to become absolute? The Tang Dynasty, lasting between 618-907, greatly expanded China. The wall did not serve as a border anymore and became less significant. While the wall was used between 1000-1200, the Mongols eventually assumed control of China in 1206 and had no use for the wall. Certain sections of the wall were maintained for economic control. The Ming did try to extensively repair the Great Wall after pushing out the Mongols. The sections that are popular tourist sites today are largely due to these renovation projects. However, the Mongols and other tribes no longer threatened China as a more peaceful take emerged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Attacks were much less frequent and the wall gradually lost its strategic and defensive purpose.
Daily Dose of History 