Herrera, Luis
Language Arts
Per. 7
1
When was the Great Wall of China built? Who built the Great Wall of China? Why was
the Great Wall of China built? The Great Wall of China is a magnificent structure that was built
long ago by very important and amazing emperors. This astonishing building was built for very
important reasons and for China’s good. This enormous, 20 feet high, 15- 20 feet wide, and
approximately 6,000 kilometer long structure, is one of the greatest constructions ever built. This
massive structure we see today was built, rebuilt, modified, and extended by ancient Chinese
emperors during different dynasties a long, long time ago. “The "Wan Li Chang Cheng", or "ten
thousand li Great Wall" (li is a Chinese length unit, 2 li = 1 km)” (Why was the Great…
hillmanwonders.com) was a very important and wonderful construction that helped China in
many ways throughout its dynasties. This magnificent wall may not have become the wall that
the Chinese might have thought it would be before it was built, but it still became a splendid and
terrific wall that helped and has helped Chinese and other people to live better and more
advanced. Even though the Great Wall didn’t really serve for protection, it has been a
tremendous and important structure throughout China’s history. Without this amazing structure,
who knows how complicated and sophisticated the Chinese might have lived in the ancient
times. In my opinion, the Great Wall of China is a very imposing and unique structure that
helped those in the past, and up till now, in lots of different ways. This grand edifice has been a
wonder to many, from many years ago till today, and I know its greatness will live on.
The Great Wall of China was not really built at a certain date or time, but at different time
periods in Chinese history. The Great Wall was built during different dynasties, in different
occasions. “The wall was built during different dynasties, but three main dynasties the wall was
built in include the Qin, the Han, and the Ming Dynasties” (Carnine, Douglas). The Qin Dynasty
lasted from 221- 206 B.C, which was the time period that the construction on the Great Wall
started. The Han Dynasty lasted from 202 B.C- A.D 220; this was the time period when a lot of
the wall was constructed. The Ming Dynasty lasted from 1368- 1644, this time period was when
most of the wall was build. Since the Great Wall was constructed during different points in time,
a lot of the wall was accomplished to serve the Chinese in many different reasons.
The Great Wall of China was built by not just one emperor, but several different emperors
during China’s history. The Great Wall of China was built throughout three important dynasties
by important emperors long ago. The first dynasty to begin construction was the Qin Dynasty.
“The first emperor of the Qin dynasty, Shihuangdi, was told by magicians that barbarians from
the north would be able to attack his empire, from hearing this, the emperor acted immediately
and demanded that a wall should be built, but not just any wall, a great wall” (Cordova,
Jacqueline).The Han Dynasty continued to add onto and restore the construction of the Qin
Dynasty. The Han Dynasty was one of the dynasties that built a large amount of the wall by
extending the wall over 300 more miles through the Gobi Desert and also building beacon towers
that were placed about 15-30 miles apart, along the wall. The reconstruction did not stop here, it
continued into the Ming dynasty. “The Ming Dynasty was when most of the reconstruction was
made and the crumbling walls were rebuilt. They added many miles to what already existed in
addition to restoring it. This was the dynasty that built most of the Great Wall.” (Muzzillo,
Theresa) As you can see, these three dynasties helped built what is now the Great Wall of China,
but without the emperors of these dynasties, we would not have this marvelous structure today.
The Great Wall was built to protect the Chinese from the offensive and irritating
Mongols, which were China’s worst enemies. Even though the Great Wall was built for the
reasons to keep barbarians out and receive protection, the wall was also built for two other
important reasons as well. One of those reasons was for better communication and quicker travel.
The Chinese could be able to get closer communication and were able to move quicker and
deliver messages more rapid from place to place throughout China. The last main reason why the
wall was built was for Chinese religious beliefs. “The Chinese believed in many spirits, and most
of all in evil spirits that came from the north. They believed that spirits could enter China from
the Mongolian territories, so to stop these spirits they built the wall (since the spirits could only
travel in a straight direction, a wall might have been useful)” (Cowan, Jonathon). There were
also many other little reasons why the Great Wall was built. Some of these reasons could include
“acting as a barrier, to provide roadway through some pretty hard terrain, to provide Chinese
army with an early warning system, to serve as look out post, to impede invaders, and many
other reasons” (Why was the Great Wall…greatwallofchina.nc). Well, the Great Wall was built
mainly for protection, but after its construction, it didn’t just serve the Chinese with defense, but
In conclusion, I think the Great Wall of China is a tremendous and remarkable structure
today. I think the time and effort of these ancient Chinese emperors was really a wonderful thing
they did to organize and improve China. Even though it took so long for the wall to be what it is
nowadays, it became such an astounding structure that is recognized all over the world today.
The wall was built for lots of reasons, but mainly one, which was protection, but even though it
didn’t become such of a defense structure, it became a wonder that helped in many, many ways,
to the ancient Chinese. Because of its greatness, the construction of the wall became to be an
amazement, and today, the Great Wall of China may be just a wall to some, but to others, it’s a
wonder.
Work Cited
Carnine, Douglas, et al. “World History: Ancient Civilizations.” United States of America:
Cordova, Jacqueline, et al. “Across the Centuries.” United States of America: Houghton Mufflin
Company, 1999.
Cowan, Jonathon. “The Great Wall of China.” Classroom notes. January 8, 2008.
<www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us./history/china/03/Tmuzzillo/Tmuzzillo.htm>
“Why was the Great Wall of China Built?” www.greatwallofchina.cn. March 2, 2008
<http://www.greatwallofchina.cn/why-was-great-wall-built.htm>
“Why was the Great Wall of China built?” www.hillmanwonders.com February 3, 2008
Hillman Quality Publication. March 1, 2008
<www.hillmanwonders.com/great_wall_china/great_wall_china.htm#_vtop