What happened to the Great Wall when the Manchus increased China’s territory?
Responses
The wall became unnecessary.
The wall was strengthened to repel attackers.
The wall’s exterior was covered with brick and stone.
The wall became an important symbol to China’s people.
The wall became an important symbol to China’s people.
When the Manchus increased China's territory, the wall became unnecessary as it no longer served its original purpose of defending against external invasions. However, rather than being entirely neglected, the wall was strengthened to repel attackers. Additionally, the wall's exterior was covered with brick and stone, giving it a more solid and imposing structure. Despite its diminished practical importance, the wall continued to hold cultural and symbolic significance for the people of China, becoming an important symbol of the nation.
To understand what happened to the Great Wall when the Manchus increased China's territory, we need to consider the options provided:
1. The wall became unnecessary.
2. The wall was strengthened to repel attackers.
3. The wall's exterior was covered with brick and stone.
4. The wall became an important symbol to China's people.
To narrow down the answer, let's analyze the historical context. The Manchus were a group of people from the northeastern region of China who conquered the Ming Dynasty and established the Qing Dynasty in 1644. During this time, China's borders expanded significantly, and the Manchus incorporated large territories into the empire.
Based on this information, it is evident that option 1, "The wall became unnecessary," is incorrect. The Great Wall was originally built as a defensive structure to protect China's northern borders from invading forces. Therefore, with the expansion of China's territory, the Great Wall would still serve its purpose, albeit with altered dynamics.
Option 2, "The wall was strengthened to repel attackers," seems plausible since the Manchus would likely want to defend their newly acquired territories. However, without further information, it is difficult to determine if the wall was indeed reinforced during this time.
Option 3, "The wall's exterior was covered with brick and stone," is not historically accurate. The Great Wall was primarily constructed using bricks, stones, and other materials, so covering its exterior with these materials would not be a significant change.
Option 4, "The wall became an important symbol to China's people," is the most likely correct answer. The Great Wall has always been a symbol of national pride and unity for the Chinese people. Even if the purpose of the wall shifted from defense due to the Manchu expansion, the symbolic significance of the Great Wall would have remained intact.
In conclusion, when the Manchus increased China's territory, it is most likely that the Great Wall became an important symbol to China's people.