What dynasty began the construction of the foundations of the Great Wall?

• A. Han
• B. Qin
• C. Song
• D. Yuan

Answer: (B)

The Qin dynasty is credited with the beginning of the construction of the foundations of the Great Wall of China primarily under the rule of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who unified China in the late 3rd century BCE. The need for such fortifications arose from the desire to protect the newly unified state from invasions, particularly from nomadic tribes to the north.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered existing walls from various states to be connected and reinforced, creating the initial structure that would later evolve into the Great Wall. The laborious project utilized a large workforce, including soldiers, peasants, and prisoners. Although the wall was not a single continuous structure at this time, the efforts laid down the groundwork for what would become an extensive series of walls over the subsequent centuries.

In contrast, other dynasties mentioned in the choices such as the Han, Song, and Yuan either expanded upon the work started by the Qin or constructed different segments of walls, but it was the Qin period that initiated this pivotal defensive architecture in China.