Why did the Shi Huangdi tear down the Walls of Chinese kingdoms? He needed building materials for the great wall or he wanted to ensure the nobles could not defend against him
The statement that Shi Huangdi tore down the walls of Chinese kingdoms in order to obtain building materials for the Great Wall or to ensure the nobles could not defend against him is incorrect. In fact, Shi Huangdi, also known as Emperor Qin Shi Huang, was responsible for the construction of the Great Wall of China during his reign.
The purpose of the Great Wall was primarily to protect the Chinese Empire from invasions by nomadic tribes from the north, such as the Xiongnu. It aimed to consolidate and fortify the existing defensive walls built by various Chinese states.
As for tearing down the walls of Chinese kingdoms, it is true that Shi Huangdi aimed to centralize power and eliminate potential threats to his rule. However, instead of tearing down the walls, he ordered the destruction of fortifications and defensive structures outside the Great Wall that belonged to other states. This was to prevent these states from resisting his rule and to ensure a unified empire under his control.