The Great Wall of China originated from independent border walls constructed during the Spring and Autumn Period by seven powerful states in order to defend themselves from each other. Chu State was the first to build a border wall around 656 BC along its northern frontier that would eventually evolve into segments of the Great Wall. During the later Warring States Period, intense conflicts between the seven states led each of them to extend their border walls to set territorial boundaries, with the walls of Qin, Qi, Chu, Han, Yan, Zhao, and Wei making up parts of the Great Wall that exists today. However, many sections are now severely damaged or disappearing due to erosion and human activities over its long history.

1. HISTORYHISTORY
The history of the Great Wall is saidThe history of the Great Wall is said
to start from the Spring andto start from the Spring and
Autumn Periods when sevenAutumn Periods when seven
powerful states appeared at thepowerful states appeared at the
same time. In order to defendsame time. In order to defend
themselves, they all built walls andthemselves, they all built walls and
stationed troops on the borders. Atstationed troops on the borders. At
that time, the total length of thethat time, the total length of the
wall had already reached 3,107wall had already reached 3,107
miles, belonging to different states.miles, belonging to different states.

2. THE SEVEN POWERFUL STATESTHE SEVEN POWERFUL STATES
OF CHINA:OF CHINA:
1: Qin1: Qin
2: Qi,2: Qi,
3: Chu3: Chu
4: Han4: Han
5: Yan5: Yan
6: Zhao6: Zhao
7: Wie7: Wie

3. Walls Built in the Spring and Autumn PeriodWalls Built in the Spring and Autumn Period
(770 BC - 476 BC)(770 BC - 476 BC)
According to historical records, the first part ofAccording to historical records, the first part of
the Great Wall of China was built by Chu State.the Great Wall of China was built by Chu State.
Chu State was a small state that graduallyChu State was a small state that gradually
developed by conquering weak neighbors duringdeveloped by conquering weak neighbors during
the Spring and Autumn Period. To control Chinathe Spring and Autumn Period. To control China
and prevent the intrusion of the Jin and Qi states,and prevent the intrusion of the Jin and Qi states,
Chu State built a series of walls along its northernChu State built a series of walls along its northern
frontier in about 656BC. These boundary markersfrontier in about 656BC. These boundary markers
would eventually evolve into the Great Wall.would eventually evolve into the Great Wall.
Shaped like a "U", the Wall of Chu was referredShaped like a "U", the Wall of Chu was referred
to as "the Rectangle Wall".to as "the Rectangle Wall".

4. Walls Built in the Warring States PeriodWalls Built in the Warring States Period
(476BC-221BC)(476BC-221BC)
Battles during the Spring and Autumn PeriodsBattles during the Spring and Autumn Periods
and the Warring States Period occurred veryand the Warring States Period occurred very
often, particularly during the period of the "Sevenoften, particularly during the period of the "Seven
Powers of the Warring States Period". Each statePowers of the Warring States Period". Each state
was eager to set the boundaries of its territory.was eager to set the boundaries of its territory.
To defend the state against invasion, they eachTo defend the state against invasion, they each
built defense walls. With the increasing heat ofbuilt defense walls. With the increasing heat of
the battles, the walls were continuouslythe battles, the walls were continuously
extended. The "Seven Powers" of Qin, Qi, Chu,extended. The "Seven Powers" of Qin, Qi, Chu,
Han, Yan, Zhao and Wei each built or extendedHan, Yan, Zhao and Wei each built or extended
their walls. Except for the Walls of Chu in thetheir walls. Except for the Walls of Chu in the
Yangtze River valley, all the others were in theYangtze River valley, all the others were in the
Yellow River valley and Northern China areas.Yellow River valley and Northern China areas.

5. Owing to its long history, natural disastersOwing to its long history, natural disasters
and human activities, many sections of theand human activities, many sections of the
Great Wall are severely damaged andGreat Wall are severely damaged and
disappearing. Being a world-famousdisappearing. Being a world-famous
engineering project and witness to the riseengineering project and witness to the rise
and fall of Chinese history, the Great Wall,and fall of Chinese history, the Great Wall,
needs to take immediate action to protectneeds to take immediate action to protect
it!it!