What makes the Great Wall of China so extraordinary - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen

TED-Ed
17 Sept 201504:29
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe Great Wall of China, a monumental structure stretching 13,000 miles, has a rich history dating back to the Chunqiu period. Initially built by feudal states to protect against nomadic invasions, it was later unified and expanded by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 221 BCE. Despite being a symbol of strength, the wall was breached by Genghis Khan and his son. The Ming dynasty further fortified it with bricks and stones, but it was eventually rendered obsolete when the Qing dynasty incorporated the Mongols. Today, the wall stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of visitors annually, and continues to be a subject of archaeological discovery and preservation efforts. Contrary to popular belief, it is not visible from the moon, but its cultural significance and historical grandeur make it a remarkable achievement to study from Earth.

Takeaways
  • 🏰 The Great Wall of China, a massive defensive structure, stretches over 13,000 miles and has a history as complex as its design.
  • 🛠️ Initially built as separate walls during the Chunqiu period, it was unified and expanded by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 221 BCE to protect against northern invasions.
  • đź”— The wall connected natural barriers like the Tibetan Plateau and the Pacific Ocean, but the northern mountains remained a vulnerability.
  • đź‘Ą Construction involved both soldiers and commoners, with many being conscripted peasants or criminals.
  • đź“Ź Under the Han Dynasty, the wall extended to 3700 miles, marking a significant growth and a place of notorious suffering for laborers.
  • 🏰 Despite its grandeur, the wall was not invincible; it was breached by Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan during the 13th-century Mongol invasion.
  • 🧱 The Ming Dynasty reinforced the wall with bricks and stones, creating a structure averaging 23 feet high and 21 feet wide, with watchtowers for signaling.
  • 🚨 The wall was equipped with small openings for archers and larger ones for dropping stones, enhancing its defensive capabilities.
  • 🏛️ The wall lost its defensive purpose after the Qing Dynasty incorporated Mongolia, and it fell into disrepair as it was no longer maintained.
  • 🌿 During World War II, sections of the wall were repurposed for defense against Japanese invasion and are rumored to be used for military training.
  • 🏞️ The Great Wall is now a cultural icon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of visitors annually and undergoing preservation efforts.
  • đź‘˝ Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall is not the only man-made structure visible from space; it is barely discernible even from low Earth orbit.
Q & A

  • What was the initial purpose of the Great Wall of China?

    -The initial purpose of the Great Wall was to serve as a defensive structure to protect against nomadic raiders from the north and to serve as a boundary between individual feudal states during the Chunqiu period.

  • Who was the first emperor to unify the construction of the Great Wall?

    -Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first to unify the construction of the Great Wall in 221 BCE, connecting and fortifying the existing walls built by his predecessors.

  • How did the labor force for the Great Wall's construction evolve over time?

    -Initially, soldiers and commoners were enlisted, often involuntarily, including forcibly conscripted peasants and criminals serving out sentences. The labor force continued to be used under the Han Dynasty, with the wall growing longer and the use of forced labor contributing to its notorious reputation.

  • What natural barriers did the Great Wall not cover?

    -The Great Wall did not cover the Tibetan Plateau and the Pacific Ocean, which served as natural barriers for China.

  • How long did the wall extend under the Han Dynasty?

    -Under the Han Dynasty, the wall extended to 3700 miles, spanning from Dunhuang to the Bohai Sea.

  • What happened to the Great Wall after the Mongol invasion in the 13th Century?

    -Despite the wall's formidable nature, both Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan managed to surmount it during the Mongol invasion of the 13th Century.

  • What significant changes were made to the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty?

    -During the Ming Dynasty, the wall was refortified and further consolidated using bricks and stones from local kilns. It was made taller and wider, with watchtowers and signal systems for defense against invaders.

  • Why did the Great Wall lose its defensive purpose after the Qing Dynasty?

    -The Great Wall lost its defensive purpose after the Qing Dynasty because the empire's borders extended beyond the wall, and the fortifications were no longer necessary for defense.

  • How has the Great Wall been used in modern history?

    -In modern history, sections of the Great Wall were used for defense against the Japanese invasion during World War II, and some parts are rumored to still be used for military training.

  • What is the current status of the Great Wall in terms of cultural significance?

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

  • What are the challenges faced by the Great Wall in the present day?

    -The Great Wall faces challenges such as deterioration due to the influx of tourists, leading the Chinese government to launch preservation initiatives. Additionally, sections of the wall continue to be discovered, expanding the monument's extent.

  • What is the common misconception about the visibility of the Great Wall from space?

    -The common misconception is that the Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from space. However, this is not true as many other structures like bridges, highways, and airports are visible from low Earth orbit, and the Great Wall is barely discernible.

Outlines
00:00
🏰 The Great Wall's Origins and Expansion

The Great Wall of China, a 13,000-mile long fortification, has a history that dates back to the Chunqiu period. Initially built as separate walls by various feudal states to protect against nomadic invasions, it was Emperor Qin Shi Huang who unified these walls in 221 BCE. The wall was expanded and connected, stretching from Lintao to Liaodong, and was known as The Long Wall. Its construction involved both soldiers and commoners, including many who were conscripted against their will, such as peasants and criminals. The wall grew to 3,700 miles under the Han Dynasty, reaching from Dunhuang to the Bohai Sea, and was notorious for the suffering of its builders. Despite its formidable nature, it was eventually bypassed by Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan during the 13th-century Mongol invasion.

Mindmap
Keywords
đź’ˇThe Great Wall
The Great Wall is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. It is depicted as a dragon of earth and stone in the script, symbolizing its vastness and significance in Chinese history.
đź’ˇChunqiu period
The Chunqiu period, also known as the Spring and Autumn period, was a time in Chinese history that lasted from 771 to 476 BCE. It is marked by the building of multiple walls of rammed earth by individual feudal states to protect against nomadic raiders, which is significant as it represents the early stages of what would eventually become the Great Wall.
đź’ˇEmperor Qin Shi Huang
Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin Dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China. His role in the construction of the Great Wall is pivotal as he unified the previously separate walls into a single defensive system. The script mentions his efforts to expand and connect the existing walls, which laid the foundation for the wall's extensive reach.
đź’ˇForced labor
Forced labor refers to the practice of compelling individuals to work against their will, often under harsh or unfair conditions. In the context of the Great Wall's construction, the script describes how hundreds of thousands of builders, including forcibly conscripted peasants and criminals serving out sentences, were employed. This aspect highlights the human cost and suffering associated with the wall's construction.
đź’ˇHan Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, succeeding the Qin Dynasty and preceding the Three Kingdoms period. It is mentioned in the script as the period during which the wall grew even longer, reaching 3700 miles. The Han Dynasty's contribution to the wall's expansion is a testament to its continued strategic importance.
đź’ˇMing Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China for nearly three centuries, from 1368 to 1644. The script notes that the Ming dynasty began to refortify and further consolidate the wall using bricks and stones from local kilns. This period of construction led to the wall's current form, with its characteristic watchtowers and defensive features.
đź’ˇWatchtowers
Watchtowers are tall structures from which guards or observers can get a wide view of the surrounding area. In the context of the Great Wall, watchtowers were integral to its defensive system, allowing for the transmission of signals via fire and smoke when raiders were sighted. The script mentions that the wall's 5500 miles were punctuated by these towers, emphasizing their strategic importance.
đź’ˇUNESCO World Heritage Status
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, designates World Heritage Sites as places of special cultural or physical significance. The Great Wall was granted this status in 1987, recognizing it as one of the largest man-made structures on Earth. This status reflects the wall's cultural importance and its role as a symbol of human achievement.
đź’ˇTourism
Tourism refers to the industry and activities related to the movement of people to destinations outside their usual place of residence, for leisure, business, or other purposes. The script notes that the Great Wall now welcomes millions of visitors each year, highlighting the shift from a defensive structure to a cultural and tourist attraction.
đź’ˇPreservation initiatives
Preservation initiatives are efforts to maintain, protect, and conserve sites or structures of historical, cultural, or environmental significance. The script mentions that the Chinese government has launched such initiatives for the Great Wall due to its deterioration caused by the influx of tourists. These efforts are crucial to ensure the wall's longevity as a cultural monument.
đź’ˇVisible from space
The phrase 'visible from space' is often used to describe something that is exceptionally large or prominent. The script addresses the common misconception that the Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from space, clarifying that this is not true and that other structures like bridges and highways are also visible. This keyword addresses the wall's perceived scale and visibility.
đź’ˇHuman achievement
Human achievement refers to the accomplishments or successes of human beings, often in areas such as science, technology, culture, or construction. The script describes the Great Wall as a remarkable monument to human achievement, emphasizing the scale, historical significance, and the collective effort required to build it.
Highlights

The Great Wall of China, a 13,000-mile long structure, has a history as complex as its serpentine path.

It originated as separate walls built by feudal states during the Chunqiu period to protect against nomadic raiders.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified these walls in 221 BCE, creating a unified defense system against northern invasions.

The wall was expanded and connected under Qin Shi Huang, with forced labor from peasants and criminals.

By the Han Dynasty, the wall reached 3700 miles, marking a significant expansion from Dunhuang to the Bohai Sea.

The wall's construction involved a notorious use of forced labor and is associated with mass suffering and death.

Despite its grandeur, the wall was not invincible; Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan breached it during the 13th Century.

The Ming Dynasty further consolidated the wall using bricks and stones, with an average height of 23 feet and width of 21 feet.

The wall was equipped with watchtowers, fire signals, and openings for archers and dropping stones to defend against invaders.

In 1644, the Manchu clans overthrew the Ming and established the Qing dynasty, incorporating Mongolia, rendering the wall's purpose moot.

The Great Wall fell into disrepair after the Qing dynasty, with natural erosion and plundering for building materials.

During World War II, sections of the wall were used for defense against the Japanese invasion.

The wall was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1987 for its cultural significance.

Originally a barrier, the Great Wall now welcomes millions of visitors annually, causing the Chinese government to initiate preservation efforts.

Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall is not the only man-made structure visible from space.

New sections of the wall are still discovered, expanding the understanding of this remarkable human achievement.

The wall's visibility from the moon is a myth; it is barely discernible from low Earth orbit.

The Great Wall's true value lies in its historical and cultural significance, and as a testament to human engineering.

Transcripts

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