Zhou Dynasty Great Wall
The Zhou Dynasty is traditionally divided into two periods: Western Zhou (11th century BC-771BC) and Eastern Zhou (770BC-221BC). And the Eastern Zhou has two periods: the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) and the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC).
Spanning 2,700 years of Chinese history, ranging from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), over twenty states and dynasties were involved in the building of the Great Wall. The creation of the Great Wall was initiated during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period to prevent the invasion by other states of China.
Walls Built in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC)
Walls Built in the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC)
Spring Autumn Map
Battles during the Spring and Autumn Periods and the Warring States Period occurred very often, particularly during the period of the “Seven Powers of the Warring States Period”. Each state was eager to set the boundaries of its territory. To defend the state against invasion, they each built defense walls. With the increasing heat of the battles, the walls were continuously extended. The “Seven Powers” of Qin, Qi, Chu, Han, Yan, Zhao and Wei each built or extended their walls. Except for the Walls of Chu in the Yangtze River valley, all the others were in the Yellow River valley and Northern China areas.
