Was the Great Wall of China effective in defending China?

Question

I know that China was occupied a couple of time by northern invaders but with a history spanning over 2,000 years that does not mean that it was not *generally* effective. For example, many other invasion attempts might have been successfully thwarted with the aid of the Wall. Or maybe it was good at keeping out petty raiders and brigands who would otherwise perform hit and run attacks. Anybody know?

Answer 1

While the Wall probably stopped casual incursions by small groups of raiding nomads, the best that could be hoped was that it would slow down large armies and give the Empire a chance to mobilise its defences.

In fact, the troops and officers assigned to the Wall were notoriously ineffective, and there are a number of accounts of them betraying gates to the invading nomads. In addition, the cost of keeping the Wall manned and repaired was high, and the Empire often did not want to afford the expense.

In short, the costs probably outweighed the benefits.

Answer 2

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RE:
Was the Great Wall of China effective in defending China?
I know that China was occupied a couple of time by northern invaders but with a history spanning over 2,000 years that does not mean that it was not *generally* effective. For example, many other invasion attempts might have been successfully thwarted with the aid of the Wall. Or maybe it was good...

Answer 3

The great wall of China as it is known today was actually a series of forts and walls that were finally connected. The original length is not know because for a while after the fall of the last dynasty peasents would cut out pieces for their houses. The original purpose was not to repel invaders but to provide a signal system that would allow the army to meet and destroy the raiders. As was previously stated yes there were instances of the gate keepers being bribed by the mongols and other raiders. This is partly because since the emperors wouldn't send enough grain and other supplies to the defenders at the wall they would be forced to get them from the nomads outside the wall.

Answer 4

No, the wall was built beacuse ancient chinese believed that walls around cities (or countries) could keep out evil spirits. It was not meant nor did it serve as a military fortification.
The wall could never be completed, so armies continued to come around it. Besides, there were no army manning the wall which could keep a watch on invaders

Answer 5

Yes the Wall was affective when it was first built, it kept out roving Mongol Raiders & the like but now with Aircraft, missiles etc it's just another wonder of the world that can B seen from space.

Answer 6

Ofcourse Taj Mahal

Answer 7

These walls were more frontier demarcations than defensive fortifications of worth. Certainly Chinese military strategy did not revolve around holding the wall; instead, it was the cities themselves that were fortified.

Answer 8

Actually, it was very unsecessful. China was completely overrun by the Danes, which is why China is now a colony of Denmark and they all have to learn Danish.

Answer 9

It was effective but it can not be seen from space. That is not true.

Answer 10

Well I heard a part of it was broken down, so no