Chinese History papers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chinese History papers - Essay Example It presents a brief background history of China before unveiling the purpose of the Great Wall. Just like any other grand civilization in the world, China’s culture can be said to have originated from a blend of small original tribes which have since expanded to become a great country that is China today. Historians also believed there some eminent people namely: emperors like Li Shimin, Philosophers like Confucius and great poets like Qu Yuan among others in the long list of individuals who contributed enormously to the development of China as a country as well as to the enrichment of her history (Slavicek 18). Notably, Chinese society can be said to have progressed through five major stages- the primitive community, Slave society, Feudal Society,, Semi-feudal and Semi-colonial Society, and Socialist Society (Slavicek 21). One aspect that historians have since agreed on and perhaps it’s the most recognizable symbol of China is the Great Wall of China. Originally, Emperor Qin Shi Huang (c. 259-210 B.C.) during his reign conceived the Great Wall as a means of preventing rampant incursions from the barbarian nomads into Chinese Empire. Although the Great Wall of China never actually and effectively barred the invaders from entering China, Slavicek (27) noted that it was also believed to have assumed the function of psychological barrier between Chinese culture and the rest of the world, under such it remained as a powerful symbol of the country’s enduring strength. According to Slavicek (28), the Great Wall as it exists today was basically constructed during the mighty Ming dynasty (1368-1644). During this period under the governance of Ming rulers, Chinese culture flourished and the era saw an immense amount of construction added to the Great Wall, which included bridges, temples, and pagodas. Noteworthy, after the initial phase of territorial expansion, the Ming rulers took wholesomely a protective stance, and their amendment and extension of the Great