The Great Wall in Chinese History
The Great Wall of China is an excellent overview of both Chinese history and its relationship to the Great Wall. Topics covered include the origins of the Great Wall during the Warring States Period, Chinese philosophy (Taoism and Confucianism), the first emperor, the terra cotta army, the invasions of various foreigners (the Mongols, Manchus, and Japanese), the Communist Revolution of 1949, President Richard Nixon's visit to China in 1972, and the Great Wall and its significance in China today. The video points out that there is not one great wall but rather many great walls built by many different people over a long period of time. We also learn that it can be difficult to distinguish between what is fact and what is legend when it comes to stories about the Great Wall. The transformation of the Great Wall as a symbol of suffering to a symbol of national pride is an underlying theme of the documentary. Animated maps do a good job of showing the growth of China. At about 50 minutes in length this video is ideal for classroom use or for anyone seeking a concise and informative video on both Chinese history and the Great Wall. Highly recommended.
