The Great Wall of China

Introduction-Thanks to my teacher I have to resource a subject so I picked the Great Wall of China.I picked the Great Wall of China because I’m Chinese myself. Ok enough about me; The Great Wall of China was building in the 7th Century Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Generally the wall was build to keep armies away such as the Mongolians. The wall was 5,000 km long across China’s northern part. Its thickness was from about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) and was up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall. The wall was build with stones from the mountain ranges because transporting resources was harder for the builders.

Qin Shi Huang conquered all opposing states and unified China in 221 BC, establishing the Qin Dynasty. Intending to impose centralized rule and prevent the resurgence of feudal lords. He also destroyed walls that separated the sections of China. Qin Shi Huang ordered the people of China to build new wall that connected the remaining fortifications along the empire's new northern frontier to prevent his empire to be conquered by Xiongnu people from the north. The wall was easy said then done, materials was hard to transport, many builders had others things to do, and many died because of stavation due to the wall. Most of the ancient walls have eroded away over the centuries, and very few sections remain today. Although, the Han, Sui, Northern and Jin dynasties all repaired, rebuilt, or expanded the Great Wall at great cost to defend themselves against northern invaders.

After the build of the Great wall the Northern of China had been trying to invade China's walls.During the battle Tumu, the Ming Dynatsy Army failed by the defeat of the Oirats. The Ming also lost their battles of Manchurian and Mongolian tribes which was conflicting toll into the empire. After their lost, the Ming tried another strategy by constructing an wall in the northern border of China. Not like the Qin's old thing, Ming's wall was more endurable. The wall had stones and bricks instead of rammed earth. Even thouugh the wall was upgraded, that didn't stop the continuing Mongol raids into the walls. The Ming kept rebuilding and reinforcing the walls. In the 1440s-1460s the Ming aslo build another wall called the Liaodong Wall to prevent invaders from the northwest. The Liaodong Wall was not so great as the great wall because it was similar to Qin's old wall and marterials were poor.

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Wall of China was invaded by the Manchu in the 1600s. Yuan Chonghuan, the commander of the Ming Dynasty tried to keep the Manchus out of China in the fortified Shanhaiguan pass. The Manchus finally was able to cross the Great Wall in 1644s. The Manchu was able to cross the Wall because of Wu Sangi who did not like the ruler of the Shun Dynasty. As Manchu quickly fought their way to Beijing, Manchu defected Mings last resistance and started the Qing Dynasty.

Conclusion-
I now thank my teacher because I have learned so much in my research. I was lucky to think of the great wall as my resource subject. I feel ashamed because I'm chinese and I didn't know much about the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall had many historys which was intresting and I like ever part of it. After the start of Qing Dynasty, China's borders extended beyond the walls and the Mongols were annexed into the empire. The repairs and construction was discontinued.