History of the Great Wall of China |
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B.C. 1766 - 1122 - Kings and nobles from the Shang dynasty rule most of northern China. B.C. 1122 - 771 - The Shang are overthrown by the Zhou. B.C. 777 - 221 - Under the rule of Zhou China is split into seven states. These kingdoms go to war quite frequently. The states begin to build large walls for defence. B.C. 221 - Qin Shi Huangdi conquers the seven states and becomes the first emperor of China. B.C. 214 - The building of the Great Wall begins as barbarians from the north try and invade the new unified China. 300,000 labourers are used to connect a number of the existing defensive walls into a Great Wall. This is then fortified with a number of towers which are very close to one another. B.C. 202 - A.D. 220 - The Han dynasty rebuilds the Great Wall and makes China a real power. A.D. 220 - 581 -- China breaks up into smaller dynasties as the Han dynasty falls, and there is much revolt. The Great Wall of China continually grows and is patched up where neccessary. A.D. 581 - 617 -- China is reunified in 589 by the Sui dynasty. Sections of the Great Wal are built by the Sui dynasty. |