What makes the Great Wall of China so extraordinary - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Great Wall of China was initially built to protect against invaders but now serves as a cultural heritage site, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Key Insights

• 🇼🇫 The Great Wall of China began as separate walls built by individual states and was later expanded and consolidated under different Chinese dynasties.
• 😒 Construction of the wall involved the use of forced labor, including conscripted peasants and criminals.
• 💀 The wall served as a defense mechanism against invasions, but both Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan managed to breach it during the Mongol invasion.
• 🧱 The Ming Dynasty refortified and improved the wall using bricks and stones, with watchtowers and openings for defense.
• 😚 The wall lost its purpose after the Qing Dynasty extended China's borders beyond it, and it fell into disrepair over time.
• 👹 Sections of the Great Wall were used for defense against the Japanese invasion during World War II.
• 🇨🇳 The Great Wall of China is now primarily a cultural heritage site and attracts millions of tourists each year.

Transcript

A 13,000 mile dragon of earth and stone winds its way through the countryside of China with a history almost as long and serpentine as the structure. The Great Wall began as multiple walls of rammed earth built by individual feudal states during the Chunqiu period to protect against nomadic raiders north of China and each other. When Emperor Qin Sh... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the Great Wall of China come into existence?

The Great Wall of China was initially built as multiple walls of rammed earth by individual states to protect against nomadic raiders and each other. Emperor Qin Shi Huang later expanded the walls to defend against invasions.

Q: Was the construction of the Great Wall voluntary?

No, many builders, including forcibly conscripted peasants and criminals serving sentences, were enlisted to construct the Great Wall during the Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty.

Q: Why did the Ming Dynasty refortify and consolidate the Great Wall?

The Ming Dynasty refortified and consolidated the Great Wall using bricks and stones to improve its defensive capabilities against raiders. Fire and smoke signals were used to alert for reinforcements.

Q: What is the current status of the Great Wall of China?

The Great Wall of China is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts millions of visitors each year. It requires preservation efforts due to deterioration caused by tourism.

Summary

The Great Wall of China, a 13,000 mile dragon of earth and stone, has a history as long and serpentine as the structure itself. Originally built as multiple walls by individual feudal states, it was later expanded and refortified by Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the Ming dynasty. Forced labor, including conscripted peasants and criminals, was used during its construction, leading to a notorious place of suffering. Despite its formidable nature, the wall was breached by invaders such as Genghis Khan and Khublai Khan. The Ming dynasty refortified and consolidated the wall, but it eventually fell into disrepair after the Qing dynasty gained control. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the original purpose of the Great Wall of China?

The original purpose of the Great Wall was to protect against nomadic raiders north of China and to serve as a barrier between the individual feudal states.

Q: Who expanded and refortified the Great Wall?

Emperor Qin Shi Huang expanded and refortified the Great Wall to defend against Mongol, Turkish, and Xiongnu invasions.

Q: Who were the laborers involved in the construction of the Great Wall?

The laborers involved in the construction of the Great Wall consisted of forcibly conscripted peasants and criminals serving out sentences.

Q: Did the wall serve as an effective defense against invaders?

While the wall was formidable, it was breached by invaders such as Genghis Khan and Khublai Khan during the Mongol invasion in the 13th Century.

Q: What did the Ming dynasty do to the Great Wall?

The Ming dynasty refortified and further consolidated the Great Wall using bricks and stones from local kilns.

Q: What were the average dimensions of the Great Wall during the Ming dynasty?

During the Ming dynasty, the Great Wall had an average height of 23 feet and width of 21 feet. It spanned 5500 miles and was punctuated by watchtowers.

Q: How did the Qing dynasty impact the Great Wall?

The Qing dynasty, which overthrew the Ming dynasty in 1644, expanded the empire's borders beyond the Great Wall, rendering its fortifications obsolete. The wall fell into disrepair as a result.

Q: What is the main purpose of the Great Wall today?

The main purpose of the Great Wall today is cultural. It is one of the largest man-made structures on Earth and welcomes millions of visitors each year. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1987.

Q: Has the Great Wall been used for other purposes besides tourism?

Yes, during World War II, sections of the Great Wall were used for defense against Japanese invasion. Some parts are still rumored to be used for military training.

Q: Is it true that the Great Wall is visible from space?

Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall is not visible from space. In low Earth orbit, various man-made structures like bridges, highways, and airports are visible. From the moon, it is virtually impossible to see.

Takeaways

The Great Wall of China, one of the largest man-made structures on Earth, has a rich history dating back centuries. Originally built as a defense against nomadic raiders, it has served various purposes throughout different dynasties. Today, it stands as a cultural symbol and a major tourist attraction. Despite the myth of its visibility from space, it remains an impressive testament to human achievement. The preservation initiatives by the Chinese government are crucial for ensuring its longevity and retaining its historical significance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Great Wall of China began as multiple walls of rammed earth built by individual states to defend against nomadic raiders.

• Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the states and expanded the walls to defend against Mongol, Turkish, and Xiongnu invasions.

• The wall grew longer under the Han Dynasty but was eventually overthrown by the Manchu clans. It now serves as a cultural site and requires preservation efforts.