Great Wall: Build or Negotiate with Nomads (3rd Century BCE - 17th Century)
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Chinese dynasties repeatedly chose between building walls (expensive, defensive) or buying peace through tribute and marriage alliances (cheaper, uncertain). The Wall was built in phases over 2,000 years.
Build the Great Wall
2,000+ years of construction
duration
Physical barrier against steppe nomads
strategy
Enormous — millions of laborers, many died
cost
Built — 13,000 miles, symbol of China, mixed military success
outcome
Heqin (Marriage Alliance and Tribute)
Han dynasty onward
duration
Buy peace with princesses and silk
strategy
Ongoing tribute payments
cost
Used alongside walls — cheaper but seen as humiliating
outcome
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