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Great Wall of China
page 4
Great Wall of China –
how it came to be
No
master plan
No one ever said, "Let's build the Great Wall of China". There was never a master plan. Initially, powerful regional kingdoms built sections solely for their own defensive military needs.
Oldest
parts
The earliest known sections were constructed in the 7th century BC.
Active
regional
construction
Building activity by the regional kingdoms flourished in the 5th and 3rd centuries BC.
Integrated
Great Wall
It was only after the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) unified China did the wall become a collective entity. The Qin dynasty repaired, renovated and linked old sections and built new ones. Note: The modern word "China" derives from the Qin (pronounced "Chin") Dynasty.
After
the
Qin Dynasty
The Great Wall of China was from time to time enlarged and enhanced. Most of what tourists see today is the fruit of the work done in the 16th and 17th centuries.
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