When Was the Great Wall of China Built?
The most significant building and assembling of the Great Wall can be divided historically into dynasties. The following Chinese dynasties had the greatest impact upon the Great Wall so our "When" perspective will focus upon the Ch'in (221-207 B.C.), Han (202 B.C.-A.D. 220), Sui (A.D. 589-618), and the Ming (A.D. 1369-1644) dynasties.
The oldest sections of the known Wall was built by Chinese Emperor Ch'in Shih-huang (Qin Shih Huang) who ruled China from 221 - 210 B.C.. During his reign he unified China and incorporated walls built by the conquered warring states into the first "Great Wall." These unified parts had been protection for villages or small cities and the separate Chinese states, or kingdoms, had built walls (long ramparts) as early as the seventh century B.C. and some traces of these early walls can be traced back as far as 1,300 years before the Ch'in dynasty.
Emperor Liu Pang established the Han dynasty that lasted from 202 B.C.-A.D. 220. The Han brought a sort of "Chinese renaissance" reintroducing forgotten arts and advancing its culture. Also, the Han developed new Wall building techniques and added signal towers that served to warn of attacks. The Han contributed to new trade and farming and established links to the famed Silk Route. The empire started to expand but at its height in power and influence the dynasty began to disintegrate again into separate states.
Again the Chinese unify but this time under the Sui dynasty from A.D. 589-618. This era saw the increase of Chinese scholarship after a period of decline. The Sui embraced Taoism and Buddhism while rejecting the teachings of Confucius. The Great Wall went through a period of strengthening and fortresses (jpg image - 45k) began to appear at strategic places. The Sui truly began to utilize the Great Wall's potential as protection from its enemies.
The Ming built the Great Wall that we see the most evidence of today. The Ming era, from A.D. 1369 to 1644, produced the best Wall builders the world has seen. Their methods of brick making rival and exceed anything we produce today. Other Ming contributions also include literature, fine arts, porcelain, and architecture while conquering the seas and exploring places such as the Arabia and African coasts.
Are you ready to test what you have learned? Try the quiz and activities by clicking on Quiz below. The answers, references, and feedback are linked to the Quiz page.
Jonathon Ishmael
April 25, 2000
johish@ou.edu